So NYC becomes the training ground that provides the experience for the larger NJ salaries. I've seen some reports of what teachers in NJ earn--it makes ours here in VA pale! In my county, a teacher with Masters + 30 will earn close to 80K after 30 years of service. I've been told that teachers in NJ top that level after about 1/2 the time. Of course I teach in a rural county, in a safe school, so maybe the trade off is worth it.
NJ or CT or Westchester or Long Island.
NYC has always provided that training function in private industry as well. FYI: the guy who wrote Angela's Ashes was a NYC teacher for 30 years. Steve Bescemi (sp?) was a fireman and I know a couple of cops who retired and took up acting. They appear regularly in Law & Order and CSI.
The other thing to remember is that more than half of the new teachers leave -- quit the profession -- after the first year.
The weirdest thing NYC ever tried is "teaching fellows." They're recruiting people from private businesses into teaching. I doubt it will work, but it's worth a try.
p.s. they just opened a Hospitality High School, to train kids for careers in hotels and restaurants.