Page "editorial" Paragraph 935

Next September, after receiving a degree from Yale's Master of Arts in Teaching Program, I will be teaching somewhere -- that much is guaranteed by the present shortage of mathematics teachers.

I will also be underpaid.

The amazing thing is that this too is caused by the dearth of teachers.

Teaching is at present a sellers' market ; ;

as a result buyers, the public, must be satisfied with second-rate teachers.

But this is not the real problem ; ;

the rub arises from the fact that teachers are usually paid on the basis of time served rather than quality.

Hence all teachers, good and bad, who have been teaching for a given number of years are paid the same salary.

I am firmly convinced that considering the average quality of teachers in this country, the profession is grossly overpaid.