Teachers Not Paid Enough? An Answer You Won’t Expect.
The underpaid educators conversation is one that continues to do its rounds in the media and spark a lot of fired up commentary. I am going to chime in and add my two cents to the fire, in hope we can end the discussion once and for all…because I have the answer.
The difference between a great teacher who goes the extra mile, and one that doesn’t really care, can determine the path a student takes in life.
That’s right, not just in the lesson, but in life.
Unmotivated teachers likely lead to unmotivated students.
The role a teacher plays then, compared to other professions, is crucial to the future of our country.
I’m not trying to be dramatic here, but…
…an unmotivated lawyer isn’t really going to have the same negative impact.
So keeping this in mind then. Making sure teachers are motivated, is pretty (insert crude word here) important then right?
So why are we underpaying teachers if it is that important? Are we actually underpaying them?
The difference between a teacher’s job and another professional siting in one of the cubicles located in a high-rise building in the CBD on a $150K salary, is that (typically), a teacher’s hours don’t end when the teacher goes home.
There is
1. marking,
2. writing exams,
3. checking homework,
4. preparing lessons
5. etc. etc.
that he/she still needs to do.
In contrast, the high-rise professional, his job ends the moment he leaves his luxuriously located office and parts his full grain black leather chair.
If he needs to work another minute, he is entitled to overtime.
So if educators are expected to do extra “outside of work” hours, have such an important role in the future of our society, and don’t get the high-rise 360 degree ocean views…
…what is going on here?
Yes, well hold your horses, I do hope to have the answer…
Let me first tell you a story.
(this may not be a true story, but it does a great job of highlighting my point).
In year 1962, during a visit to the NASA space centre — President Kennedy noticed a janitor who so involved in his work of cleaning the floors. He whistled away while moving his broom in rhythm — the excitement this janitor had in his work was clearly visible to everyone who walked past.
President Kennedy interrupted his tour, walked over to the man and said, “Hi, I’m Jack Kennedy. What are you doing?”
The janitor stopped, noticed who the man was, and said “well, Mr President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
The reason I mention this story is that it underlines, not just within education, but any profession that…
NO ONE WHO DOES A GOOD JOB DOES IT JUST FOR THE MONEY.
> This janitor who was joyously cleaning the floors was driven by a higher purpose.
> The engineers in-charge of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge were trying to build one of the most recognisable bridges in the world.
> Sir Christopher Wren took ten years to finalise the designs for St Paul’s Cathedral because he was creating a focal point for religious worship.
But there is a flawed perception in our society that in order to live a life of purpose we have to leave our jobs and build libraries and skyscrapers across the world, or try to solve world hunger.
Anyone can make a difference and live to a bigger purpose every day and touch the lives of everyone you meet.
“What does this have to do with teachers being underpaid?”
Well,
I believe teachers who dedicate their life to teaching, and educators who work in this space, do it because they are driven by a higher purpose.
They aren’t doing it for the money.
They are driven to educate, grow, and train the future doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, artists, engineers, etc. of the world. They are driven because they love what they do, and they are responsible for making an impact on the future of their students…
…and consequently an impact on the future of our country.
Not one teacher driven by this higher purpose will be underpaid.
Let me repeat that for effect, not one teacher driven by this higher purpose will be underpaid.
Why?
Because those who are working for a bigger purpose, usually do a better job, and people that usually do a better job receive a bigger pay-check.
Because they are indispensable.
But hey, even if they didn’t get more money, it probably wouldn’t matter as much to them.
So the teachers that are underpaid are actually the ones who don’t really want to be teachers.
The people we hear complaining about being “underpaid”, and whinging to the unions and causing all the ruckus are in-fact the ones we need to ignore.
Their career lies elsewhere.
These people are the only ones that are being underpaid.
I could get into statistics and averages (which again wouldn’t support the case of educators being underpaid, their remuneration is on par with other similar professions and better than in most other parts of the world).
So if you are one of those teachers that believe you are not paid enough,
Well maybe the problem lies with you…
Not with your employer?
