No, it's a terrible article because it is miles away from the truth.
1. Teachers don't "..work 9 months and get paid for twelve." They work OVER 9 months and have the option of spreading their salary out over 12 months. My wife worked in education 30 years and her SHORTEST contract was 215 work days, not 180. Some years, she worked a 255 day contract. (That's all year.)
2. In Texas, there is no "free insurance" for teachers. Because it's in a pool, it's a bit cheaper, but not much. The only thing that makes it cheaper is because premiums are taken out of your check, it is an "above the line" tax deduction so you get to deduct it all. That's the ONLY real advantage. The quality of the insurance itself is not that great.
3. Talking about salaries, many years my wife had to contribute BOTH to Texas Teacher Retirement AND Social security along with regular withholding. Try taking those three chunks out of your paycheck and see what you have left.
Teachers these days have it rough, but I'll admit they did it to themselves. And, like doctors or lawyers, there are many teachers out there who have no business being teachers. But, if you think the job is easy, try educating your own kid. I'm sure there are many teachers out there who would appreciate the break.
‘My wife worked in education 30 years and her SHORTEST contract was 215 work days, not 180. Some years, she worked a 255 day contract.’
hmmm...standard instructional time by year in Texas is 180 days, as cited by the Education Commission of the States, or 900 hours per year in order to qualify as an instructional day. or 5 hours p/day...the above are minimums, perhaps some teachers are contracted to work more, but your post attempts to make it appear that 200 plus work days are standard across the board, which in fact, they are not...