Comments by "Daniel Bradford" (@Falconlibrary) on "Why Teachers Are Paid So Little In The U.S." video.

I recently retired after 32 years in teaching. I didn't make a living wage until the last 8 years of my career. For each of those 32 years, I routinely spent at least $1500 a year on supplies (sometimes more) out of my own pocket, worked from 6 am to 9-10 pm at night, worked weekends, worked during our so-called "summer vacations". The workload is crushing and my wages didn't keep up with the cost of living. You have no personal life during the school year and barely have one during the summer. Why did I do it? The kids. I miss them every day. Those 32 years meant something more than money. But younger teachers are quitting before they get locked into the system because being an educator has become more and more difficult each year. Parents and the administration often don't support us, but they are happy to thwart us. Don't get me started on the politicians, who conveniently beat up on our profession for votes and cheap applause. Our schools are broken because as we veterans retire, younger teachers are NOT taking our place. I don't blame them. We need more money, but also more autonomy and respect. I won't hold my breath.
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Our Congress recently passed a bill spending $753 billion for the military. More than than China, India, Russia, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Australia combined. No debate, no agonizing over "how are we going to pay for this?" Isn't education part of national defense? The American reluctance to invest in education (not just teaching salaries but also facilities) is a huge and ongoing threat to our country's future. We could close the "salary gap" for teachers nationwide for 3.5% of the annual military budget. This is madness.
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