NY & NJ teachers - how much do you make?

amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 6:29 pm

(Anon because I've discussed this with people on the board)

I've interviewed and then done a model lesson with a school. They have now made a third appt. with me to discuss money, etc. because they want to hire me. They (not the person I'll be talking to) told me to talk to other people who work in the yeshiva school system to see how much they make, so that I can bargain with them.

Having only worked in public school where payment was via a grid - how much education x how many years teaching - I have no idea how much to bargain for (I'm a little offended by the idea of bargaining as it is).

I'll be working 3 preps (which is a lot) - three different groups of kids (this is middle school) - and both genders. That's 6 English, 3 Science and 4 Social Studies. 13 classes/week.

Any ideas? Thanks!

Also, if it matters, tuition starts at 15K and I don't know about tuition breaks - should that factor in?

bubby ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 8:49 pm

Don't ask other teachers what they earn. It's embarrassing for them & they won't tell you, rightly so. You'll alienate them before you even start!

Instead, work out what you need so it's worth your while. But I would say if you have a degree, you should get at least $25 a class (I'm a bit out of touch so this may be wrong.) You should be able to work out what a PS teacher would earn. Remember, you will have a tremendous amount of grading & prep, so you need to be compensated, as you'll probably need more in-home help (cleaning, food prep etc.)

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 9:14 pm

Thank you Bubby for your response. I'm not asking teachers directly - they can answer anon here.

As for $25/class - what do you mean? I did the math and that means $12,000 for the year!!!

That's nothing - and yes, I have my masters.

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 9:51 pm

amother wrote:

I would think you could and should get at least $30 or $35 per teaching hour, but remember that $12,000 for a 13-hour-a-week job is equivalent to about $36,000 for a full-time job. So, it's not a high salary, true, but it's also (proportionately) not nothing. Still, in NY/NJ I really think $25 per class is too low.

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 9:53 pm

When I taught special ed in a private school I made around 40 yearly for teaching a full day- 4 1/2 days a week (1/2 day friday)- without benefits. Don't know the difference for reg. ed...

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 10:09 pm

OP here -
When I was teaching in pub school - this was 6 years ago and Before I got my masters, I was making 40K full time.

So I want to make at least $20K but actually more! It's a lot of preps, and it's a lot of time - it's not really part time, because it's still 12:45-4:45. It's more than part time.

And, I'm paying 15K per kid. If I get 12K that's not even going to cover one tuition!!!!!!

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 10:14 pm

OP here - THat's not true. As a pub school teacher, I was teaching 6.5 hrs/day and now it would be 4 hours a day, WITHOUT insurance. (Which usually equals another 10K)

I would think you could and should get at least $30 or $35 per teaching hour, but remember that $12,000 for a 13-hour-a-week job is equivalent to about $36,000 for a full-time job. So, it's not a high salary, true, but it's also (proportionately) not nothing. Still, in NY/NJ I really think $25 per class is too low.

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 10:17 pm

amother wrote:

First of all, the reality is that teachers in private schools just don't earn that much, yes, even with a master's. I hope you end up with the salary you request - and since they are asking, you should definitely be assertive in stating your requirements, and I would include tuition reduction as part of the package.

But also realize that four hours a day is by definition part time. I believe anything under 30 hours a week is considered part time. So you probably won't have benefits, etc., and although hopefully they will agree to tuition reduction, they might not. I think they should and hope you get what you ask for.

groisamomma ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 10:30 pm

Since they indicated that they want you, you can be assertive. I would request:

a) tuition break for each child of 30% or more
b) with a master's degree (outside of Lakewood) in a private school an experienced public school teacher can anytime make upwards of $35-38 a period. Been there, done that.
c) a school where tuition starts at 15K indicated they value education and will pay for it. Defintiely request $45 so they can cut you down a bit and feel good.

I would do it.

nicole81

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 10:38 pm

you can earn 70k as a classroom teacher after 8 years with just a masters. a masters+30 credits, and you can earn that in 7.

fyi, the base salary for a second year nyc teacher with just a bachelor's and no more is $48k. with summer school, that's easily $55K at least. add in some per session activities and that can go up to $65K.

add a master's, and that's over $75K.

eta: no I'm not the amother above, but 70K seems pretty normal to me.

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Mar 03 2011, 11:21 pm

The yeshiva system rips off teachers. Personally I would never teach in one unless I was absolutely desperate and if I were you I would be doing everything to get back into the public system. In most countries private school teachers earn MORE than in public schools, not less. Not to mention that by having their 'part time' positions spread out across every school day but in short sessions it means that you can't get other work to fill in the gap unlike a job that is say 3 days a week leaving you the other 2 to find something else or at least sub. I just don't think that they take care of their teachers properly and for a religion that supposedly values education I think they should be ashamed of themselves.

↑ amother ↓

Fri, Mar 04 2011, 3:08 pm

I'm amother making 70 in a public school. I'm a special education classroom teacher in new york but special ed and reg ed make the same amount in the ps system. I spend many, many hours at home on school work... I am also in a good school so it's a high pressure job with a huge amount of paper work and a lot of accountability. Pay is based on a scale, as mentioned by a poster above- I have thirty credits above my masters and I have been teaching for 8 years.
From my experience in teaching in a private school, there's a lot less pressure and junk paper work there...

↑ amother ↓

Sun, Mar 06 2011, 12:45 pm

I teach in a simple chassidish High School and earn $45 for a 45 minute session. No fancy paperwork. No degree.
Oh, plus paid babysitting and free transportation.

↑ amother ↓

Sun, Mar 06 2011, 1:37 pm

I teach pre-k an I make $25K per year working 8-4 (including a 1 hour break and 45 minutes for planning). I get 50% off tuition and a great insurance plan (medical, dental, vision).

My best freind teaches at a RWMO school and made 45K her first year for high school working full time (not sure of specific hours) She made $50K her sedond year. She started at another school teaching middle school and is making $55K plus 50% reduced tuition. (she has her masters)

Most of my friends with a masters of sorts make between 40K and 70K teaching full time and workign for abotu 3-4 years. They all work in MO schools as most of them pay MUCH better and have great insurance plans. They do also give great tuition breaks....but unfortunately it doesnt matter if you dont want to send your kid there! Some of them even got money towards another school but I dont knwo how common that is....

good luck!