I work at a small private school. Great kids, great colleagues. I loved it. I loved it until I had to attend a mandatory meeting for all faculty in which our head of school cheerily announced that in the interest of equity, teacher’s salaries would, at minimum, be raised to match that of the entry level teacher at a public school (for those who don’t know private school teachers generally make significantly less than in public school). They boasted this meant most of us would see a 10-18% increase in pay. I was thrilled! I live pretty much paycheck to paycheck right now. This money would not only alleviate so much stress in my life, it would allow me to begin getting my graduate degree in education.
I was shocked when I received my contract for the following year with only a 3% living increase. As it turns out, the school was matching public school salaries only for those considered “head” teachers. I am an “associate.” The difference between head and associate is a master’s degree. Not necessarily a master’s in education, in anything! In terms of work responsibilities, the difference is nothing at all. We are a small school, so every teacher is expected to lead their own classes, prep their own work and has the exact same hours no matter if they are “head” or “associate.” This means starting next year, I will be compensated at minimum $17000 less for the exact same job as my colleagues simply because they have master’s degree, many of which are not in education.
Everyone, including head teachers, were shocked by this gross oversight/miscommunication/ insult/whatever it is and spoke to the administration. We were never issued an apology. I was told that it was simply a “miscommunication” and the solution to my financial situation was to go to grad school i.e. solve my financial issue by going into debt for a school that doesn’t even value the work I’m doing for them now.
I’m leaving the school and I’m leaving education. As a teacher, I knew pay would be lackluster. But I didn’t realize I would be signing up for complete disrespect. Done with bureaucratic nonsense I’ve experienced at more than this school and going into tech or some other less meaningful job that doesn’t drain my soul. It’s so disheartening that it feels like if you want a job that helps people you are punished. Okay all done! This is my first time posting.