Teaching Salaries Across State Lines

In Wake County, North Carolina - the location of our state's capitol - first year teachers start out with an annual salary of 35,189.  This summer, I visited New York and met a teacher from New Jersey who started out with a salary of over $55,000.  As soon as a mentioned my home state of North Carolina and my intended career path, it was immediately suggested that I move to New Jersey to teach instead of teaching in North Carolina.

I was never led to teach because of the salary, but as much as I love my home state of North Carolina, I would be lying if I said I am not actively thinking of teaching somewhere else.  As a member of the last North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, I have felt as though my future career is somehow lesser than my peers, because my program funding was cut. This action reflects how education majors are looked at both within and without our state.

Overall, you teach because you feel led to teach and it is worth it every day you walk into the classroom, but how many amazing teachers in North Carolina feel the same way as me and are leaving the state or pursuing other careers. Do we really want the best teachers in our classrooms or just the ones who are willing to put up with our educational system?

M.