24

I really enjoyed class from this last Tuesday. Geoff enlightened us with information that was more than valuable. No matter what major, or desired career choice, every career-seeking individual is interesting in how much money that specific career is going to offer them. I had a ball park figure in mind with teaching at a secondary level. I knew that it wasn't a wonderful number compared to what other careers can pull in. I didn't know, however, how one is able to move up in pay scale in the teaching world. I didn't know that every school district has steps and lanes. I also didn't know that every teacher's steps are negotiable upon hire; an experienced teacher can loose all of his honored years of teaching (in pay) if he tries to hire on with a different school district. I think that is outrageous and not fair. You know what it seems like to me? Teachers are needed more now than ever, with a higher demand for those who are highly qualified, but they have to continually jump through hoops and blow whistles just to try to earn some kind of a descent living salary. I guess it is all for the passion and reward of teaching. I guess I can't change the politics of it all, all by myself, but I can make sure that I do the best I can for those that I teach.