Let's Talk Pay!
Okay, I know this can be a touchy subject, but let's also acknowledge that it's an important one and start a conversation. I've been doing my "Aspiring AP" homework, but that has led to more questions and bewilderment (not to mention disillusionment) than answers, clarity, and hope. I'll start with this: How many of you might be interested in eventually earning a doctorate degree? Well, I just found out that my system (and many others) have decided to no longer pay administrators at the T7 level. So from here on out, even if I earn an EdD in Leadership, I'd only get paid for my EdS (T6) degree...as an AP, I would also get a $3,000 annual supplement. Now as a teacher, I can earn an EdD (let's say in C&I) and get paid at a T7 level, but then if I move into an AP position, I would revert back to the T6 plus 3K. Does anyone else see a problem with that? If not, let's consider how many extra days (not to mention extra hours on both ends of the regular school day) that APs have to work. Most people tend to just look at annual salary and think, "I make this much more that you do." For instance, a classroom teacher with an EdD makes 71K per year (T7 pay) whereas an AP with the same degree makes 74K annually (T6 + supplement)...these are actual figures. So it appears that the AP does make more, unless you divide the teacher's pay by 190 days and the AP's pay by 210 days. You can check the math yourself, but the teacher will make almost $21 more PER DAY than their fearless leader! It's not my intention to hurting anyone's feelings or causing a stink by posting this, but I want to create an awareness, spark a critical conversation about it, and maybe even instigate change. Here's my dilemma: I love my job as a teacher, but I also have a strong desire to lead and support other educators, and I'm pretty sure I could do a great job at it. However, I also have a family, including two little children, that I treasure and enjoy spending time with. I just finished a month-long AP internship, so I know how demanding and exhausting the role is. Why in the world would I take a position that essentially pays less, plus I'd have to work more hours, more days, and deal with all of the head & heart aches that don't fall on the classroom teaching position? Bottom line...less money AND less family time! What then is the incentive for becoming an AP aside from the fact that you can make a huge and positive impact on many lives, teachers and students? I like to think of myself as altruistic and fairly magnanimous, but also not insane. I'm not even sure that our upper level administrators, BOE, legislators, or whoever else are even cognizant of this situation or the implications. I have several other thoughts and ideas to share about this, but I want to hold onto them for now and see/hear what you all have to chime in with. Thanks! PS & BTW - The same holds true for future principals - they will only get paid at a T6 level. No more "Dr. Principal" pay!
Do you have any thoughts of moving to a new district, certainly after you have completed the doctoral degree you expect the pay to come along with that and the new position. You should be grandfathered in. Is that a definite or are they planning to move toward not paying for higher degrees?
ReplyDeleteIt's a definite and done! The last person to be grandfathered just earned their EdD, so everyone in our district from this point forward that earns a doctorate degree will NOT receive a pay bump to T7, and anyone outside of administration that has one and decides to move into an AP position will step down to the T6 pay scale. I have thought about the possibility of looking for opportunities outside the county (if I do choose to pursue an EdD), and I'm afraid that many more people will do the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree, you do need to be grandfathered in. I do believe this is unfair and you reap what you sow. For years we have heard about the teacher shortages throughout the United States. If this action is adopted throughout the country we will be facing an administrator crisis far outweighing and outreaching the so-called teacher shortages of the past. How do we tell our students and children to pursue public education as a career choice? the more i write. the more agitated i am becoming concerning this situation.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time hearing of this. I know that they are moving toward you having a leadership position in order to get the pay increase but once you obtain the leadership position you will receive the pay increase. I am in Gwinnett Co. and there are a lot of leaders obtaining their Doctorate degrees since Gwinnett has a partnership with Georgia State, Clark Atlanta University and the University of Georgia they are encouraging leaders to get higher degrees
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't heard of this. It is crazy. It seems like the powers that be don't want quality leadership. I eventually want to get my EdD, but not if I am not going to get compensated for it. I wonder if county level personnel get T7 pay?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your responses and affirmations. Chris, I'm with you on being agitated. Great point about encouraging our students to pursue education. Check out the article I'm attaching to this post; it's pretty telling. Tonisha, I suggest you do some research, because I've heard that Gwinnett is the same exact way...don't quote me on that, but that's what I've been told. Just remember to factor in total days worked and not just supplements and step increases. Traci, I completely agree with you...it is crazy! That's the boat I'm in, definitely wanting to pursue an EdD but not if it won't even pay for itself short of 20 years. Oh yeah, great question about whether it applies to county level personnel or just school administrators. Please let me know what you all find out if you research or investigate this situation in your own districts. It doesn't take that much effort. As long as you have HR personnel that will be upfront and honest with you, a 15 or 20 minute phone conversation should do the trick. I think my next step is to politely ask some upper-level county administrators and/or board members to rationalize it for me. I just worry that they're going to peg me as a "stink" stirrer. I'll keep you posted though. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLook at the second link: "Students Discouraged From..."
http://www.eschoolnews.com/newsletter/parents-dont-want-kids-to-become-teachers/
WOOOOWWWWW! Grandpa always said "when you think you have seen everything, keep living." As much as I love this profession, I've been questioning as of late if this is the profession I will retire from. I thought being told in class that administration leadership is going to be moved to tiers was a trip. Now hearing this. This information is very unsettling. I will be inquiring about this with HR. You brought up valid points...why take on "extra" if you're not going to be compensated. It's already disheartening knowing the only way to see a raise is tied to degrees and now that step is going to be removed....WHO DOES THAT?!
ReplyDeleteCharlie staying with this is definitely going to take some soul searching. Rationalizing pay cut and giving up time and family....
Alright, I have some positive news related to this post. I appreciate all of your perspectives and responses. I also want to share the conclusion that I came to after much soul searching and some great conversations with close friends that are educational leaders (some with doctorate degrees and some without). Money is undoubtedly an important factor, especially when you have to consider whether a degree will ever even pay for itself. At the same time though, I think the decision to pursue an EdD or PhD must primarily be intrinsically motivated. Ultimately, you have to make the choice, for or against, regardless of any immediate advantage in pay. If you can do that, then you'll know you made the right decision (either way). Since I know it's unlikely that people will even be reading this post since it's so far down on the thread list, I'll share the positive news in my new post this week. Thanks!
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