well, try to live in the bay area on what teachers are paid. maybe this is setting the record straight. something needs to be done to improve education and teaching these days. this could be a step in the right direction

I have always thought it would be a good idea if experienced teachers could rotate into poor areas for a few years to work with students in those needy area. BUT, they would loose money doing that if they changed districts. they would revert to the salary of a first year teacher, dropping thousands of dollars in the process.. If there were a state wide salary scale that would not occur. so an experienced teacher will stay in the same district until retiring.

I work in Ravenswood District (East Palo Alto) and am amazed by all the wonderful teachers we have who do work hard and stay for years and years, even though they could teach in Menlo Park or Palo Alto for thousands more dollars each year. They stay because they appreciate the wonderful students, and they know they are making a difference. I've been working in Ravenswood since 1997, and the improvements in the District in the last 5 years are phenomenal! It's a great place to work, but needs more funding to pay our teachers what they are worth.

Burnout is a huge problem when people in the helping professions do not get enough emotional, physical, and financial support. It is a fact of life for such professions, because you give and give and give but seldom, if ever, receive. The giving can't go on selflessly forever without taking a toll on the giver.