Teacher’s Paychecks Should Reflect their Importance Essay -- Argumenta

Teacher’s Paychecks Should Reflect their Importance The public education system in the United States is a very important institution for our nation's youth. In most states, children are required by law to attend public school, unless they are home-schooled, until the age of sixteen. At the age of sixteen, students are entitled, though certainly not encouraged, to leave the public school system if they wish. Public school teachers are asked to account for and educate all of these students, and teachers are professionals who are constantly in demand. In fact, the demand is so great that in several cities semi-qualified professionals who lack the proper credentials are being asked to teach. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is the poor salaries which teachers are being paid. Both national and state governments ought to consider a pay increase for public school teachers in order to ensure the best education possible for the youth of the United States. Physicians and attorneys both work in careers that financially reward professionals for their many years of study at colleges and universities. Anyone who has been involved in any sort of litigation can attest to the outrageous fees charged by attorneys, and hospitals are also institutions that charge handsomely for their services. It is true that physicians and attorneys are asked to spend many years studying in school, but teachers are paid very poorly in comparison to these professions. Subsequently, teachers are also asked to study for four and often at least five years at colleges and universities. Public school teachers are also asked to take exams in order to certify them in their professions. These exams are similar to bar exams and medical boards. What is eve... ...in level of education. Furthermore, there are several professions that require less education than teaching but supply a more generous salary and benefits package. At the same time, teachers are often asked to pay for re-certification costs out of their own shallow pockets because their employment packages do not offer the funds for this constant training. Teachers have four months without students, and this time is often viewed as "vacation time" by the general public; however, public school teachers have stringent schedules that often require them to surrender their summers. Public school teachers are important professionals in our communities, and it is time for their paychecks to reflect their importance. Politicians on both the state and national levels ought to consider designing more appropriate salary and benefit packages for their public school teachers.