Teachers pay

I'm not saying that teachers don't deserve it, but if you want 60k to teach you need to move to Alaska. I'm from Florida and am an education major and starting pay for teachers there 8 years ago, in the county I lived in, was only about 26k.

That is the problem would you be able to support a family on 26K? Yet you are suppose to have a master and keep educating yourself.

My husband run a few numbers with all the information he found on the VI schools. There is a student ration of 1/12. St John was bragging on a ration 1 teacher to 4 student. Off course on that levle you need far more teachers and salaries get thinned out. He noticed also that the teachers ration to administration ration was very un ballanced. Again there seem to be a lot of missmanagement.
He can't figure out why the class sizes are so small. The only one reason he could see is if there are too many schools spread out. That alone will cost the district more money.

To top it all of the VI gets more money per student than the states yet has a very poor reputation. Indeed they are about to loose creditation (sp). So any person graduating from a public school there will have a lesser chance to go to a better University.

In the news paper article it also mention that the current teachers seem to have trouble passing the praxis test. A sign that not only the highschools but also higher education institututions are failing the public. How can people graduate from Universities not pass test which ask for the most basic knowledge?

I don't believe that you have to go to Alaska. I do believe that perorities are totally lacking in most all school districts. Yet the public school are loosing 5000 students to privat schools on the Islands right now.
No parents would risk sending their children to schools which are not qualified to educate children. With pay in the lower 30K you can't expect much in return. A manager at Mc D makes more than that.

My husband does not work as a teacher due to the low pay. We can't raise 2 children on that kind of money, save for college and retirement. It is just not possible. Unless the schools are providing for free housing, and food I just do not know how some of the teachers do it. I know one of my husband professors lived off the land to get by. It is a shame that that is what our teachers are suppose to do. Something to think about.
Iris

What article are you refering to? I have a plan that involves teacher certification and a post in St Croix and would like to read the article.

Iris,
seems like you could get a job to help support the family? i know about zero families where one person makes enough to support the family-- everyone i know works. it may be sad, and you may want to stay home with the kids, but that's the reality.

Here is the link:
Today is a follow up

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=6730267

Iris: I believe that one of the best things folks can do before they plan a move to the Virgin Islands is to read the online papers- www.virginislandsdailynews.com and www.onepaper.com (The Source.) There are many things here that will not seem rational or appropriate. You need to be aware of that. Here is your mantra: Living in the VI is not for everyone. P.S. There was a follow-up article in today's Daily News.

I am not a stay at home. It is sad so that as a woman I should not have that choice if I am the wife of a teacher. Makes me sad. I always worked. But I am in my own business and we need the security of a good paycheck to make sure our children can go to college and we can retire one day. I am a firm believer however that a spouce should not have to compensate for a job which does not pay what is deserves. The Daily news even says that the salaries on the VI Island are $10 000 below the average. We are talking here about the education and future of our youth. I red somewhere that it cost $50 000 a year to pay for a youth in prison. Would that money not be better spend on qualified and hart working teacher?
Iris

Here is today's link
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=6740903

I have a master's degree in education and the pay across the board is low. Most teachers do not become involved in the career filed because of the pay - they do it because they have a passion for children. It is a joke to think that one will make good money from teaching. I used to work in corporate and made much more $$$ but I chose do give up the bucks to do something I felt was more meaningful.

I currently live in Atlanta and 30K would be about the average pay for a teacher. Many teachers work part time in the summers to supplement their paychecks. The teacher's pay in the island is not much different. A Parapro can earnup to 27K a year on the islands - check out the dept of education website.

As far as parents risking to send their children to public school - private schools may not be an option for them because of lack of money. This does not mean that parents are not concerend with their child's education. Most of the private schools on the island run around $1000 a month tuition. Homeschooling is also an option.

I am moving to STX as soon as my house sells - my hubby is already on the island. I am looking forward to working with the children of STX. I might not be able to change the school system but I know that I can the difference in one life - that is what teaching is about!

Hello SunnyG! I wrote a thread on the topic "to move or not to move" just earlier today. I am very concerned about the public school system in STT...I heard they are not very good. Underfunded and overcrowded. Please read my ealier comment from the post I mentioned above. I'm very interested in the homeschool thing. How do you start that? I guess it's a full time job in itself...but I will have to work when I arrive to the island. Any information you may have regarding the public schools in STT and homeschooling would be great! Thanks in advance.

It very nice to know that there are teachers out there that do it for the personal gratification rather than a paycheck or just a job! Thanks from a mom.

Katie

Fact is could you support yourself on a teachers salary? It has little to do with having the drive to get rich. One reason teaching is still mostly a profession lead by woman is that a person can not support his or her family on that salary. You need a spouce with a good income to continue teaching. I find that to be a very big problem. The highest growing population below the poverty line are woman and children. It matters that you care about children. I am sure you would not care any less if you are paid fairly. Face it someone in the VI school disrict is getting the money. It is just not the teachers. I see something wrong with that. I am a little puzzled that Kathy was told class rooms are overcrowded yet the student teachers ratio is suppose to be below what mainline schools ratio are. I am not sure how that could be. Teachers have to speak up for themself. If you agree however that pay is good enough why would any school disrict pay you more?

Do a search under homeschooling in google.com and you will find very good resources. There are magazines as well. Homeschooling has become very popular. I understand from parents who have undertaking homeschooling that they work around their scheduled rather then have a typical 8-3 schoolday. You can find services which provide you with curricilums. Some states do require homeschooled kids to take tests. You might need to check on that. Homeschool children do very well on the average. I guess due to the one on one attention. There are Summer camps for home school children. Some parents still send their home school child to the local public school for extra activities such as music and sports. Sometimes homeschooling parents work in groups to give children an even broader education as each adult might have a different skill to offer.

http://www.themorningstaracademy.org/

This is just one of many links you will find.

Iris

Thanks Iris..very helpful you have been. I haven't looked into that option at all and I'm excited to see if it might work for us! Thanks again.

I have done a lot of research due to the poor schools in Philadelphia. It was good to know if I opted to homeschool that the support is out there. You just have to find the right groups you like to associate with and go from there. Subscribe to one of the home school magazines. I am sure you will get tons of info. I belong to a home school parent forum which is very helpfull. One study even showed homeschool children to be one year ahead of public school children. Key is to make sure you comply with state regulation. That will be important when your child wants to attend a University.

Off course my husband or a tutor would have to teach my children English as my spelling is real bad lol.

Iris

Hi Katie,
Iris is right - check out websites for information and state standards. Some parents wonder if they are able to provide the quality education or if they can handle it mentally. We have a very active home school program in our county although the public school are among the best in the country (and the salaries are still low). We have many homeschool parents who specialize in a particular arena and take turns hosting the "lesson plan." For example, a parent who has a degree in History might have a group of homeschoolers over once a week for a history lesson. I am a karate instructor and I have a group of homeschoolers that I teach karate to twice a week to satisfy the physicla education requirement.

When I move to STX I am going to try and teach in a private school so that I my son can go tution free. I have discussed homeschooling him for a while until the right teaching opportunity is available. He is almost 14 years old and he thinks ha home-schooling would be cool. I told him "I got news for you buddy - that doesn't mean you get to sleep all day and slouch off on your school work!"

I also wanted to say "Thank You" teaching is not a job that gets the spot light but it sure can be exciting - it is also very helpful when caring parents are involved - such as yourself.

Sunny

Hello, I am looking into relocating in a few years, fresh out of college with a bachelor in sociology and 1-9 teaching certification ( I have worked in the schools as a matron). My goal is to move for a minimum of one year for the experience. I am trying to learn if I can afford to do this. My other half has roofing and painting experience and perhaps could land a job with that, or maybe just some general position in a resturant/bar. The question is could two people afford to live in a decent furnished place, good area/location (not luxury) on a salary like that? We are not planning on making a move to MAKE money, just maintain and experience another culture and way of life. I am from Wisconsin and have looked at the prices of living, I guess I am puzzled because the prices are so similar to what we pay now except water. I am expecting relocation info via snail mail, and will be staying on St. John in Dec 2005 for 10 days. Thank you for hearing me : )

08/31/04

SunnyG, I posted a letter a couple of weeks ago asking for "scoop" from teachers on STX. My plan is to relocate in two years to STX. I'm an experienced teacher looking for a position in adult basic education, GED, ESL, or h.s. English. I wish you the very best in your teaching career - it is a niche many of us find and stay in because we love it so. I work two part-time teaching jobs now here in San Diego, CA to make ends meet (and sometimes they don't!!). If you would take time when you feel you are more settled in your home and work to write to me, I'd be in your debt. Teachers know very quickly what schools are like, i.e., the politics of the admin and/or teachers. Thank you SunnyG, any info coming from the field would be really appreciated. A teacher in arms, Mirilady

Dear Iris,

I understand being indignant about teacher salaries in USVI. But how about this one: my mother has been teaching at the Island Academy, which is considered the "affluent school" on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize for nine years now. She makes $1000 U.S. a month and that is considered a high salary for teachers here. In nine years she has never had a raise. And yet, she loves it. Not only that, she makes it work. No, she's not supporting a family but on that salary she was even able to save several thousands of dollars last year.

Although I am not in St. Croix yet, my advice for anyone moving to a tropical island or a foreign country (after living in Belize for four years now) is that if you cannot modify your lifestyle and just realize that things are not going to be as easy as they are on the mainland, then maybe island life isn't for you. I have lived very comfortably here for four years working for a pittance as a nanny and a housesitter. I adjusted my lifestyle and I realized what was really important. I didn't have AC or a fancy car, but I woke up every day in paradise and spent all my time with my daughter. Now how can you beat that?

Alanna

I've been on St. Croix for three months and have not made a major purchase and don't intend to any time in the foreseeable future. I haven't bought any new clothes and don't plan to for perhaps a year. I use fans rather than AC. My truck is ten years old (and still runs like a top). Eating out is a special experience. I'll be putting in a vegetable garden this week now that the rainy season is getting here and I'll grow some of my own food. There are wild foods I eat. I pack my lunch every day for work. I don't have cable. I don't even have a TV! For entertainment, I have beaches and mountains to explore for free. I consider my pay on the low side, but I simply don't need much. I am much happier than I was in Cleveland. The weather's fantastic and there aren't a bunch of maniacs rushing around on the roads. I have a pleasant job and I've made my life simple. What more could I want?

Teachers in the private schools mostly make less than in the public ones. A starting for someone with a bachelor's degree might be in the low to mid twenties in a private school. The schools also have their own version of island culture, so working in VI schools is a unique challenge for someone accustomed to the stateside experience. It really helps to have some international teaching experience to help you make the adjustment. Teaching everywhere is a lower-paid position - I don't know any stateside teachers making 60k per year, and if you research average teaching salaries on the web you'll see that that is very high. I think Michigan might pay close to that much with a master's and some years of experience, but not too many other states. Don't forget teachers do get summers off, so that's pay for about 9 months of work. In my opinion, the reason state and local governments get away with low pay for teachers is that so many of us are still willing to do it - no we will not get financial rewards but the emotional rewards more than compensate. If nobody was willing to work as a teacher anymore, they would have to pay more, but there are still so many of us who are willing to accept the trade offs.

Teaching in the VI is extremely rewarding if you are flexible enough. Like most other jobs here, you will find the pay vs. cost of living here as opposed to stateside means you will have to give up quite a few luxuries and rethink what counts as a basic necessity. On the other hand, if your basic necessities include incredible natural beauty, beaches, warm weather, a new cultural experience that helps you grow as a human being, etc., then you're going to love it here.

Some school districts pay very well. What is interesting is that the ratings for such school districts are very good compaire to the low paying districts. I can only assume that is because turn around numbers are lower and perhaps they can attract more experienced teachers.

I am all for beeing passionated about ones job. I just wonder why so many believe that is exclusive to beeing paid fair.

The Vi's are not managing their schools well at all. Millions are lost due to this. Just read up on it. Almost every other day there is a report on the VI schools. The latest was about the Sat scores and how Vi students are fairing compair to mainland students.

I understand that many teachers spend thier own money on things for their classes. I am so impressed to the dedication teachers have to their students and education. A teacher who does not get paid enough to support themself from his or her salary would not be able to spend additional money for school supplies. Nor does that teacher have money to pay for further education. All goes hand in hand. Teachers need to be paid enough to pay for their cost of living and to support a family. Just becaues that is not the case does not make it right.

I am not the enemy to teachers. If anything I would be the supporting parent so many teachers which parents would be. I also would be the first to speak out to get teachers paid higher salaries. My dh has a masters in education. He has a passion for teaching. However, he also has a family to support and consider. He is working in a different field now but still applies his knowledge.

He would go back to teaching in a NY second if he was paid enough to cover the cost of living and to allow him to save for retirement. Something everyone has to plan for.

Just do the math. Add up all your basic expenses, mortgage or rent, electric, gas, phone, internet access (which i believe a teacher needs) car, food and cloth. Then take the salary you believe you will get paid on the given Vi Island. Take taxes etc. out and then substruct all your expenses. Does that salary support you on it's own. If not will you be able to make additionl income in the summers to make up for that diffeerence? If you can say yes you will be ok. However, if the numbers don't add up you might be setting yourself up for financial disaster.

Iris