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Amen Michael. I've never met a teacher who said they were going into teaching in order to stuff mass amounts of $$$ in Swiss bank accounts. There have to be other motivations for the profession.

As a private trainer, I know teaching takes knowledge, skills, and hard work. Personally I wouldn't mind dealing with the kids, but I couldn't deal with the parents, the administration, and the govt. regulations.

Bless you teachers and former teachers, I'm sure it is a difficult job at times. But most of us can say the same about our jobs. Starting a business isn't easy, been there done that, but it is rewarding to work hard and watch it grow. At least teachers get summers off. I sure don't.

Dan, remember, teachers get summers off without pay. You can take summers off if you want.

I agree that teachers don't enter the profession with hopes of riches. My husband and I were both in education and have a very nice life style.

I loved working with the kids for years; however, by the time I retired, discipline didn't allow you to teach. Teachers in Guilford County have a VERY difficult job. It is not true in other parts of the state. Wonder why???

Carol,

That "without pay" thing is kinda misleading. Last I heard, teachers could arrange to be paid monthly, 12 times a year.

Yearly salary is yearly salary regardless of when it is paid out. All it takes is a little planning. Much easier, I'm guessing, than how Dan must budget working for himself.

Most of us don't have 2 months of prime vacation time. I can't even imagine the possibilities. Travel the country staying in hostiles, take on a summer job, or just tend to the garden. Whatever. That is a definite benefit of teaching that very few other people get.

Most of the teachers I know are pretty passionate about their jobs and are not in it for the money. Those who constantly gripe about money should have thought a little harder about their goals before entering the profession.

One last thing. Most do not have the option to just "take summers off". We do that and we don't have a job to come back to.

Not saying whether or not Dan can do that. His clients may depend on him year-round. If he takes a few months off, he may not have any clients to come back to.

Sorry about ending the sentences with prepositions.

:)

Nit, I do not have the option to take summers off. Being self employed, if I don't work I don't get paid. I am always working even when on vacation. We took a week in FL in Feb., but I had to check email & voice mail daily and my father in law had to forward faxes to a UPS store. It bugs my wife a bit but she understands I have no choice.

My clients would not tolerate sending me an order and not having it shipped for a week because I'm on vacation.

I'm going to China for 12 days this Sept. and will have to hire a friend to come run my office each day.

Not complaining at all, I love being self employed. Today is a beautiful day and I may take off early to get the garden ready. Most folks can't do that.

Dan, you're right! Anyone who goes into teaching for the money doesn't know what it feels like to have a student come up to you years later and say you made a difference. That's the payoff.

Also, anyone who says that it's easy has never tried to deal with students, parents, and administration. The letter from the parent about her child's punishment is a prime example of what teachers have to deal with each day.

I appreciate what you've written here. Thanks.