Rich teachers

[noname4this]

I work at a very affluent school, and over the years I've noticed how many of our teachers are quite wealthy as well. Many of their husbands work in professional careers such as lawyers and doctors. We have a very young staff somewhere between 23-35 for the most part. I'm in my late 30's so I'm seen as an "old" teacher. I think what has bothered me is that at my school I see teachers come and go so often. Many of our 20ish teachers only teach until they get pregnant and then they quit to be a SAHM. It bothers me that they seem to view teaching as something as only something to do before they become moms. Many of these teachers who have gotten pregnant and leave that year they are pregnant have commented to me that they could never be a "working mother". I'm a working mom and I resent that. We have a teacher right now who has taught at our school for 3 years. She's 4 months pregnant and will not be returning after Christmas because now she's pregnant.

I also hate seeing how many of these rich teachers are friends with, go to church with, and know the affluent parents quite well because they live in the same community. Some of their husbands do business with the parents in this community. I do not live in this wealthy community as I could never afford it as homes here start at $600,000. I guess you can be friends with whoever you want, but I also see how parents prefer the teachers that live in this community as opposed to teachers like myself who don't. Its almost like a high school clique. The teachers who live in this community form their own little clique and won't be friends with other teachers who they don't view as of their own class.

 

[connieg]

me too

That sounds like my school. Most of our teachers don't quit their jobs though. I'd say only 10% quit to be a SAHM. I'd say it is worse for these people to continue teaching because they spend WAY too much time on their cell phones, miss a huge amount of school for vacations (this is public school!!!) and generally school is definitely fourth or fifth in their priority rankings. I wish they WOULD quit!

I'm not wealthy and live outside of my school district, but I quit to stay at home for a while and I'm so glad I did. I was able to resume my career after my youngest was in school and have been full time ever since. I simply wanted to enjoy those years and didn't have a relative to leave them with. I even gave up tenure!

I hear you though about the sorority cliques that form with teachers. I love that I don't have false friends who just want the inside scoop on the "best teacher" or the latest gossip. I'm glad that I can look at all the children equally without knowing who lives in the $4 mil houses and who is in the $250K ones. Look at it as giving freedom to you and your children. My kids are grown now, but they earned everything they received on their own merit and are now independent and respected professionals. Be grateful for what you have by NOT living in that wealthy district!

 

[wtf?]

Why does it make any difference whether someone has a career first, and then does what they feel best by quitting to stay home with their kids? Isn't that what the feminist movement SHOULD have been about? Choice? The choice to work. The choice to stay home. The choice to do both, one at a time, as they see fit.

What is so wrong with giving your all to a career. Then, giving your all to your family. Then, going back and giving your all to your career again? Nothing! Those who choose to do that are doing what they are capable of doing. They likely realize that they wouldn't be able to put 100 percent towards their classroom, if they were also parents. That they wouldn't be able to give 100 percent to their kids, if they also had 20 plus students and a classroom to worry about. So, they do both, but just do it 1 at a time. That is not something to knock. They know their limits. They know their values. They are doing what they know is right for them. I, for one, respect that, even if I did not choose that route for myself.

I am getting pretty sick of those who keep knocking SAHM's! And I'm a teacher and a mom, both! We, as teachers, keep #####ing because parents are too busy to properly raise their kids. And let's face it. Many children are not getting what they need BECAUSE so many mom's work and are not effectively able to handle both working and parenting. But, on the other hand, we ##### because those who choose to, 'get' to stay home with their kids! Geesh! Why can't we just support whatever choice they make and worry about ourselves!

As for the clique issue-who cares? Only those who have low self-esteem worry about 1) whether there are cliques or 2) whether they are in 1 or not. The rest of us go about our daily business, teaching, raising families, giving back to our communities, etc.

Sounds to me like you need to find a job in a different community. It sounds to me like you are either jealous or resentful, or both.

What is so lacking in your life that you feel the need to knock those around you for the choices they make, the money they make, the people they choose to hang out with, etc.

 

[garnet]

wtf

You're being a little rough I think. She's just voicing her opinion based on a observation. No need to jump on her. You probably teach in a completely different type of school setting so don't see her point of view. No need to get nasty.

 

[lovetotravel]

Yes

I agree with Garnet. That did seem like a rather harsh reply.

 

[ecsmom]

I cracked up over the comment about not knowing who lived in the 250k houses versus the 4 mil houses! In our school a 250K homeowner would be considered very wealthy.

 

[lilybeth]

Most people do tend to be friends with those that live close by and people who they have things in common with, at least I do. I guess I could be labeled as a "rich teacher" as well. I'm not even technically a teacher yet(still working on my bachelors). However, I substitute several times a week at a private Prek-8th grade school, which is in the same neighborhood I grew up in. I find I am friends with those I feel most comfortable with. One of my best friends is a 5th grade science teacher at the private school. We both went to high school and youth group together. Other friends of mine are people I've met at church who also live nearby. Of course my neighborhood has everything from middle-class to rich, but it is definitely an educated community where people don't struggle too much financially.

I think sometimes people tend to be more comfortable with those who share the same experiences. I have absolutely NOTHING in common with a lot of the young women in the teachers program at my university. Many grew up in poverty, English was their 2nd language, and struggle to just pay tuition. While I do not think I'm better than them or act like a snob, its just that we have different life experiences. Also many of the young women at my college are hispanic(not meaning to be racist) and form cliques of their own with other hispanic young women in the teachers program. Its very immature and junior high. But I don't care. I don't want to be friends with those who are forming cliques. Cliques can happen in every kind of socio-economic situation. I've seen affluent people form cliques and lower-income people form cliques.

I see nothing wrong with teachers who are well-off teaching. They can be good teachers as well. I've known many wonderful affluent teachers. They are fortunate that they don't have to worry about money, but still want to teach. Whats so wrong with that!

 

[connieg]

pretty funny

I smiled when someone thought it was amusing about my comment that I can't tell the difference between 250K and the 4Mil. house students. That's why I don't/can't live in this community! I am a poor person here, but doing very well by American standards. Isn't it funny to think that a kid who lives in just a 250K house would be "poor" in that district. Sad, but true!

I agree that you need to resolve these angry feelings about working in a wealthy community. I am grateful I don't!

 

[SuperSub1919]

husband/wife teachers...

I work in a district where the administration seems to enjoy hiring husbands and wives together. Their salaries are published in the local paper. Some of these husband/wife teams make over $100 K per year combined!!! And considering the demographics of the area in which I live, that is A LOT of money.

If you don't have the right name, or political connections, or dont' have a spouse who already works in the district...the chances of landing a teaching job is pretty slim.

This is why I'm going back to grad school. I really don't see myself getting a teaching job in the next 3-5 years in the area. I'm not from around here and have no connections. Sadly I think this is how it goes in many school districts.

 

[bucki]

I don't think

the comment was to harsh. I was thinking the same thing. As a teacher/mom that once was a sahm, I was offended by the original posters sahm bashing.