Being a teacher

"You are never going to make a million dollars," friends and family told me when I got into the field of education. Although I have moved into the role of administrator, I still am a teacher and I haven't made a million dollars. Don't plan to in the near future.
Being a public school teacher is rewarding as you work with a variety of learners and always have to stay fresh. I work in a middle school and am constantly amazed how many different situations present themselves. You have to be fresh to work with middle level learners.
It is budget time and teacher contracts and benefits are under scrutiny in these challenging economic times. It is encouraging to see that the economy is slowly coming back. Yet, the public outcry against the proposed contracts or even the existing one is everywhere. I can understand that people are frustrated when they see people getting a small increase in pay when people are losing their jobs. When bonuses that have been a staple for private sector people have dried up, frustration sets in. Teachers getting 2 or 2.5 percent increases are seen as extravagances. Any increase on the tax rate is too much.
I have to disagree with those who choose now to go after the benefits teachers have received for years along with the small increases negotiated this year. "Teachers work only 185 days" or "Health benefits shouldn't be paid for teachers" or "Their base salary is way too high" are the cries that are heard when it comes to teachers. I find it hard to listen to these arguments when teachers have been underpaid for their work as compared to people in the private sector. Teachers don't receive bonuses. It takes upwards of 215 days to actually get the 185 days in for a school year. Forced shutdowns called February and April vacations do not mean paid vacations. Everything you do is under scrutiny of hundreds of self selected supervisors who believe since they pay taxes, they set policy.
I moved to the town I live in because of the educational system that is in place. I recognize that it does indeed cost something to have such a system. I know that I should make a little more each year and I know that helps to cover cost of living increases (including taxes). I understand that having good teacher and a good school comes with a very reasonable cost and I am willing to pay for it.
I do wish everyone were still getting their bonuses and pay increases in the private sector. Schools aren't the place to find your lost income.