Average Teacher Salaries - Middle School Teacher
Name: Ann King
Job Title: Middle School Teacher
Where: Covington, WA
Employer: Kent School District
Years of Experience: 12
Education: University of North Texas - Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
Annual Salary: Use the PayScale Resource Center to explore average teacher salaries, including the average income for an elementary teacher.
Certain teachers stand out in our minds when we reminisce about our school days. And the most memorable teachers are often the ones who can inspire and ignite an appetite for knowledge. But what does it take to inspire a child's interest in learning? For starters, it requires passion. Teaching can be a difficult, thankless job at times, with average teacher salaries falling below the salary level for jobs requiring an equal amount of education. However, there is a great sense of honor and reward that comes from teaching children.
If you're interested in becoming a teacher, this interview with Ann King shares an inside look at life as a teacher. If you're inspired and curious, you can explore middle school teacher salaries by state to see how teacher salaries compare by state. For instance, you could compare Illinois teacher salaries to New York and New Jersey teacher salaries.
PayScale: How would you describe your job, or a typical day, as a Middle School Teacher?
Ann: My contract day starts at 7:45. School is out at 3:01pm, but my contract day doesn't end until 3:15pm. On the way in, I check my mailbox on the way to meetings. One morning a week, I have a meeting with the social studies department. Two mornings a week, I meet with a team of teachers to discuss students and pressing matters. I often have staff meetings, parent meetings, and meetings regarding special education early in the morning. The meetings are usually over by 8:10 or 8:15. Then, before I head to class, I check my email to be sure that I'm not missing anything. I encourage parents to email because it's much more efficient than talking on the phone.
My day is ruled by the bell. You have to try to take your bathroom breaks during passing time (3-4 minutes) because you don't want to leave the classroom unsupervised. At 8:30, the first class bell rings and I usually go stand outside my door to monitor the halls. My first class begins at 8:35 and each class is 55 minutes long. I begin my first class with a "journal write" while I take attendance and deal with students who were absent, etc. Lunch is sometimes spent working at my desk. We only have a half an hour for lunch. I'm always the last one out of the classroom, and try to be the first one back. I try to monitor the halls between classes because that's usually where fights occur.
I teach five classes a day and have a conference period. One hour a day is not enough to plan lessons, contact parents, and grade papers. So, I often do this work outside the contracted time. It's great to have assignments that the students can "trade and grade". Sometimes you have to do "check mark" grades because you just don't have time to read every word.
I've also done extracurricular activities for which I get paid. I directed school plays for four years, and was grossly underpaid. Every year they would cut my stipend, even though my plays got bigger and better, and I made more money for the school. Most districts work the other way - the longer you do it, the more you make. Currently, I am the spirit club adviser. I hold a one hour meeting once a week and plan and run the pep assemblies. I also take a group of students to Washington, DC for five days during spring break. Often, coaches ask for help at sporting events keeping score or running the scoreboard, and I also help chaperone dances after school.
PayScale: How did you decide to become a Middle School Teacher?
Ann: I don't remember this, but my family tells me when I was in grade school and my younger nieces would come over, I would line them up on the couch and play teacher. I've always loved to read and learn. My favorite subjects were always English (it was easy for me) and social studies classes - especially history and geography. When I was in my earlier 20's, I met some women who were teachers. Later, after I had my first child, I got bored with staying home but didn't want to work so I decided to go to college (I had no degree).
At first I thought I would take business courses, but then thought I might as well go after something I might really enjoy and decided to go into teaching. I figured that way my schedule would match my children's. It was a good choice. I was able to spend every summer with my children, as well as holidays and breaks. I've got memories from those times that are priceless.
Since I'm a social studies teacher, it was difficult to find a job at first. There is an excess of social studies teachers, but a shortage of math and special education teachers. I was a substitute teacher for two years before finding my first job.
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