Are teacher's salaries the reason why most teachers bail out after teaching?
When I first started out teaching, I was a green teacher, and like many novice teachers of my graduating class at teacher's college, I was motivated by the teaching process and much less by how much a teacher makes. In my first elementary teaching job, I had great plans for creating an all purpose teacher's resources room ordering materials from the States and creating a whole language environment as a means for improving students' reading skills.
There is an inherent feeling prevalent upon many teachers I know in the system that entered the education field like me with hopes of being able to live off a decent teacher's salary, but the situation facing teachers isn't very clear cut. Classrooms are becoming bigger, more demands are being made from teachers and it is a constant struggle with little light in sight. New teachers are too busy to even think about teacher unions and work conditions, but the truth of the matter is that teachers' respect does come in the form of a paycheck, no matter how you look at it.
The good news is that teachers are enjoying more benefits and higher salaries in some areas in the United States, namely low-performing schools that are in great need of teachers. Teachers have been given scholarships to continue their education.
However, many teachers I know are looking to supplement their income. Americorps is a national service program that offers part time and full time paid tutorial positions. It might be the extra teacher's salary income you are looking for, but don't forget the important motive that drew you into teaching in the first place. I have not become rich from teaching (nor did I expect to) and I don't know any teacher who has either.
