[Smokin' Joe]

The equivalent private sector job for a teacher in a public school would be a teacher in a private or parochial school. You know, those schools which have to actually convince their customers to pay tuition when they are already paying property taxes for a free public education.

It didn't take much convincing. My grandkids (3) are going to parochial school, for under 5 grand a year (I pay for all 3), and get to pray every day and go to church as well as get a quality education, with class sizes of fewer than 20 students.

Yes, I pay for the public schools as well, but for me, the investment in the kids is worth it.

[Vigilanteman]

$5K per year for three kids is one hell of a bargain. I don't know how your parochial school does it.

The average public school tab figures out to be between $8K and $10K per year per student, depending on how it is calculated.

Now, I know the teachers don't get all of that. Bus transportation, buildings, administrators and support crew all take their cut, but they still get plenty compared to their parochial school counterparts.

BTW, I am personally acquainted with a parochial school teacher who took a 40% cut in pay to leave the public school sector. I have no idea if the 40% represents an average salary difference, but she told me the pay cut was worth it to get:

1. Kids actually interested in learning.
   
2. Less bullsh*t in dealing with the administration.
   
3. The right to banish disruptive kids.

Among other perks . . .