Teachers gave the best job in the world. Fact.

[Oakmaiden]

I mean, don't do it if you are afraid of hard work, or want to be rich. But absolutely the best job.

Most professional jobs are extremely busy. I earn what a head of department would earn; I will be going in on Monday because something urgent came up on Friday. I have a pile of work to get through over the next two weeks when I should be on booked annual leave out of my annual allowance.

I am extremely lucky because I have 7 weeks holiday per year plus the bank holidays. I also work 8.30 - 7 most days if I include what I bring home with me.

Many many people work for £20k something or less, have statutory holidays and minimal pension/sick pay. They often work in cold, where they have no authority, where people are rude to them constantly.

I do think it is sad that teachers feel so very hard done by - most jobs nowadays are very hard for those who are reliable and committed.

I think teachers do a brilliant job; they also earn above average pay and have extremely good benefits.

Extremely good benefits. Like company car, gym membership, private healthcare, air miles, subsidised tickets to stuff, paid holidays, good maternity packages, pay increases in line with inflation, the ability to get a mortgage.

Oh, sorry, you mean the holidays needed to physically recover from working 7am till midnight for 6-8 weeks at a time, (you know, like how you work till 7pm sometimes) and also used to catch up and try to get ahead so you can try to be less sleep deprived next term. Don't forget we're actually not paid for the holidays, it's a term time job we're paid monthly for.

Sorry, that was unnecessarily harsh. I take it back. We're just lazy moaners, and you haven't been brainwashed by the government.

It is hard but its very well paid so it makes up for it and of course long holidays.

20k starting upwards is extremely well paid imagije if you moaning teachers were nursery managers

I dont know any accountants or lawyers so personally to me social workers, teachers etc are very well off. I have friends that do those jobs and admit they are well paid.

No regaining unconsciousness I meant the 14% employers contribution into the pension, the six months full and six months of half pay (with discretion to extend) in the event of serious illness, the absolute support of unions and usually very fair application of things like disciplinary, grievance and performance procedures when things go wrong. I also meant the usually free parking, the buildings heated to comply with statutory requirements, the statutory maternity benefits where there are extremely rarely any concerns about discrimination upon return, the general security of the job and the fact that most parents are grateful for the work they do.

There are many many people in the UK who do not have those benefits or that level of job security. I have friends who are teachers in state schools; they work nothing like those hours yet they deliver outstanding lessons in outstanding schools.

Most jobs carry the same level of responsibility in management jobs and for those typical would be 13.5k -16k with no set raises. I am retraining in social work next year and although I know its hard I definitely wont be moaning about pay.

Well I agree with you but I'm biased.

I imagine most people think that their job is the best or they wouldn't do it would they!

But yeah, I love teaching and can't believe I actually get paid to have so much fun. I also think it is a very well paid job with awesome holidays.

I am always moaning about my job, but if I didn't do it I would really miss it I think!

Agree that the best job would be a teaching assistant though, all the best bits of being with the kids etc with none of the bullshit! If money were no object that is the job I would do.

I am a manager of a 50 hour a week, 41 place nursery and I make 14k. I have a lot of friends in similar roles for same pay. Retail managers of stores often get 15/16k and are responsible for all sales targets, staff, unsociable hrs etc.

Oh and I don't care what anyone says, the 13 weeks holidays a year (even factoring in some working during holidays) is a HUGE perk! The pay is ok as well, particularly of you are on a TLR.

The thing that pisses me off about being a teacher is being slagged off by the media and the public who have absolutely no idea what is involved in the job, but think its a cushy number.

I still have a mortgage, foriegn hols, cars etc so if I was on teachers wage I could definitely have the full designer lifestyle personally.

I don't get why some teachers think being a TA would be a better job though. It might be less stressful but it would also be dull imo. The actual teaching is the best bit!

The holidays are what make teaching survivable. I couldn't work the 51 weeks at this pace that Gove has apparently just announced.

Also: "I am always moaning about my job, but if I didn't do it I would really miss it I think!"

I agree, I love my job, and I will defend it to the death, but I really love to moan too. Like your parents, you can moan about them, but no one else can slag them off.

There was a wealth distribution thing going around a whole ago, that puts this argument in perspective. I haven't been able to find it since though.

I find it very sad that a thread about teachers loving their jobs has gone downhill and we now have people moaning about things and comparing perks or disadvantages of other jobs.

I'm a teacher - I don't feel hard done by. I love my job, I wouldn't do it if I didn't.

The being in class with the kids is the best bit. The annotated planning, marking, subject leader, SEFs, policies, action plans, parents evenings, reports, data analysis, case studies, APP etc I could take or leave

Its the same in nurseries the easy bits teaching the children as its the paperwork that takes forever!