With all due apologies to those dedicated teachers that do their jobs because they love it.
All these arguments from teachers and teacher's spouses, brothers, sisters, etc. stating you can't really calculate and use an hourly rate to compare pay demonstrate just how badly the American system of education has declined. Calculating rate of pay - do not include emotional feelings. They are mathematical calculations. Trying to justify special pay consideration with heart tugging stories of mental, emotional burderns is PC run amok. If you don't want to do the work, don't take the job.
These bogus arguments about how just because there is no school for 2-1/2 to 3 months, they are actually 'working' are indefensible in any logical or rational sense. No professional puts in an 8-hour, 5 day workweek. Every professional is expected to put in their OWN time to keep educated in their field. No other 'profession' has 2 to 3 months free from actually working at their job to maintain their expertise. In IT, you're lucky if you can get by with 10-12 hours per day and 6 days per week in a salaried position.
Teachers and government hacks get paid what they get paid. If they don't like it, get a job in the DPS ('dreaded private sector') as Howie says and deal with it. There is a reason why teacher unions are so big, strong, vocal, and protective of a competition-free, no performance evaluation environment. It certainly isn't because of the fantastic product their members deliver.
Bears repeating.
Including the ironic fact that these teachers think "hourly pay" comparisons is somehow, "wrong", and should only use "annuals".
It is the most scientific way to do it.
BTW, my mother was a great teacher. And she would agree most of this is hogwash.
If you don't want to do the work, don't take the job.
To me, the extra work IS PART of the job, and I shouldn't be expected to be paid for it, but I don't expect to hear how "highly" I am paid either. It depends on different areas. Nevertheless, there are two things that ring true--teachers aren't dirt poor, nor are they filthy rich.
And what else is true is that MANY professions could be tagged as being underpaid. I appreciate ANY person in ANY vocation who has a good attitude, puts forth an honest effort, and has a good work ethic.