Give up the bucks? The teachers in Springfield, Montgomery County (Phila suburb) have gone on strike for more bucks. The present starting salary for new teachers fresh out of college is $33,405. Nearly a third make more than $70,000 and a veteran teacher with a master's degree could pull down $80,000. That's for 190 days work with the summer off. Most of these are liberals.
Wife is principal with 2 masters and 20 years, nowhere near that high. Teachers here start around 35 and work up to 60 after 20 years and several masters programs. Beginning teachers make mid 40's after 5 years and lots of summer classes.
You would think that if teaching was such a piece of cake combined with high pay; people from private sector would be coming in droves. Our district hires science majors and gets them certified due to the teacher shortage; just don't get enough applicants.
No easy answers. I think most people don't like breaking up fights, looking for pistols in backpacks, foul language, and just dealing with kids that haven't been brought up right by their parents these days; to be honest with you. Never believe what teachers go through until you become one you know.