Teacher Stipends

[MikeReilly]

Wow, my first post.

While religious guilt might make some of us push for martyrdom and suffer through no compensation (I haven't had a stipend in my two years), it would help.

I calculated that I spent about 150 hours in fundraising, parts acquisition, etc. While I had some help, it's amazing how many folks don't step up. What is more challenging is my need for a second income. I teach SAT classes on the side to make up for the teacher salary shortcomings.

I'm not complaining, I love what I do. In fact, I left the higher-paying IT world to do it and love my job every day. But raising my kids costs money, and I just hope that the need for cash doesn't pull me away from mentoring the team. A stipend would assist me in my focus and dedication, but the lack of one hasn't stopped me yet.

I'm guessing I'm not alone in this one. I think this kind of stipend is where you local companies could truly see a return on investment and be sold on supporting it.