By the Numbers

Teachers are waaaay more important than turnpike workers!!!

What is the cost of living in West Virginia as opposed to Pennsylvania? I am sure it is much higher in the latter state. Also, fewer WV teachers belong to unions than the national average for this profession, so this probably contributes to their lower wages.

Sure, some of these workers are probably toll workers and some of them may be civil engineers, construction or have other specialized skills. Also, even if these people are "lowly" toll both workers, I think some consideration must paid to the danger of the position and the health hazards (exhaust etc) on the job.

Dear Khali,

Thank you!!!!

Dear Torporific,

As a schoolteacher, let me first clarify that WV is one of the few states in the Union where I could be so fortunate as to make 38k. There are several states that have yet to cross the 30k barrier. While I am not suggesting that toll workers' wages should be lessened, please let me suggest that teachers' salaries must be increased.

You mentioned that toll workers should be paid for on the job health hazards. I want to be paid for that too! In the rural high school where I teach (and this is the case in many rural schools across America) my students are allowed to bring knives into the classroom as long as they are 6 inches long or less, and the penalty for bringing a gun onto school property is only a 3 day in building suspension. Six inches is still plenty long enough to deprive me of my vital organs!

Many persons, yourself not included, claim that teachers deserve less pay because we get 2 months off in the summer. In actuality, I am required to participate in several curriculum planning workshops, conferences, etc. during that time. During the 10 "working" months of the year
I spend my entire paid workday actually teaching your child, sit down to grade and plan only after my contracted teaching time is done. On average, I work 55-60 hours per week, 40 hours of which are spent in a poorly ventilated room with 12 different varieties of the rhino virus, 3 or 4 versions of the stomach flu, and probably 1 or 2 strep throats for good measure.

Here is my thought: if I can make more money as a toll worker and do not require the proof of time and money invested known as my college degree, it is financially counterintuitive for me to become your child's teacher. I either have to be stupid or passionate to choose this career path. So please, don't whine to me about the state of American education when your child has a stupid teacher -- and don't treat me like one of the stupid ones when I happen to disagree with you.