Hi, teacher here. We don't need higher budgets. We need responsible use of money. Decades ago, the majority of public school funds went to educating. Today, the majority goes to administration. I think I'm well-paid for what I do. Am I ever going to be a millionaire? No, but I knew that going into the profession. What I didn't know, however, was how mismanaged funds are. Just like anything that's government-funded, the waste is astronomical. We don't need more money, we need the money we already have to go towards education. Last year I spent $800 out of my own pocket on classroom supplies. Meanwhile, the district can spend thousands upon thousands on seminars and workshops on putting exercise balls in your classroom for kids to sit on, among other useless "educational" fads that won't accomplish anything.

We're an iPad school. It has good sides, and bad sides. I think the technology is wonderful. If you can trick kids into learning by making a game out of it, it's a win/win for all involved. However, they're kids. These are very expensive pieces of technology. We don't let them take them home, because who knows what would happen with them.

If a teacher is making $40,000, they're either in a very low cost of living area, or they're brand new. Starting salary in my district is between $38,000 and 40,000 right now I believe. I've been teaching for, oh gosh, it has been almost 10 years now, and I'm well past $40,000. Am I living like a queen? No, of course not. But I'm in my early 30s, own my own small home, and drive a new vehicle. I went into the profession knowing I'd never be a millionaire. I also know attorneys who make less than I do, with far more student debt than I have. They also put in many, many more hours than I do.