Bang For Your Buck!

An interesting conversation was taking place at work. I observed, but I had to add my two cents in every now and then. The conversation started with the mentioning of the football player who refused to report to the camp after he was signed to a new team. This player obviously did not like the idea of going to this new team. He was presented with a $3 million contract and would not show up to register with the team. This news led to a conversation about athletes and their salaries verses teachers and their salaries. The question was raised "How is it fair that sports figures are paid millions of dollars to chase a ball when teachers are considered lower to middle class pay at best.

Some arguments in favor of the athletes are that they spend a full day's work every day during their season of performance to train, practice, and prepare for their duties. They also have to work hard in the off season to stay in the proper physical condition to maintain the level of performance expected of them. Professional Athletes are entertainers, and the entertainment business generates large revenue. This is why there are large salaries and glamour. These people are in the public eye and influence many. Some athletes have progressed to become national symbols of success.

Teachers, however, play a more behind the scenes role, explained one participant in the discussion. They are more in the trenches of society. Teaching children is not a public desire, as is a professional athletes. No one wants to turn on the television and watch someone teach a class live. Granted, many great movies are based on teachers making a difference. But you probably never saw a movie where a teacher got a multi-million dollar contract to join a school in desperate need.

One person suggested that teachers should be paid based on the student's performance. I disagreed because if teachers was paid on commission, children would suffer more in the long run. Teachers will be more prone to curb grades and do other things to insure their pass rate.
In response, someone replied, "where will the money come from. These are state and city funded institutions. There will not be millions of dollars to go around for teachers.

The question was asked, "can you throw a football 60 yards or more"? The answer was " can you inspire a child to achieve his potential"? Which is most important?