Bryan Rogers: Those $100,000 teachers are a myth used to denigrate all teachers

The viewpoint that 287 teachers make $100K or more is a myth. The $100,000 public shaming list always includes a few teachers from Modesto City Schools, which ignites and promotes anti-teacher commentary. The statement that MCS teachers’ average base salary is $100,000 or even $91,000 is false and misleads the public about how public school teachers are paid.

In order to make a base salary of $100,000, a teacher would need 30 years experience, plus a master’s degree and a doctorate. Of 1,500 teachers in MCS that describes exactly one person – not 287. The $100,000 includes medical ( $15,000 to $20,000 per year) or State Teachers Retirement System at (11 percent of gross) since teachers do not qualify for Social Security.

For a teacher to earn $100,000 requires extreme sacrifice of time by working several part-time jobs in the district. A teacher has to instruct an extra classes, coach multiple sports, teach summer school year-round and support new teachers. It is similar to part-time moonlighting delivering newspapers or pizzas, painting houses, etc., to make ends meet. The small list of teachers who manage to earn $100,000 are dedicated educational heroes to be celebrated – not greedy public employees to be denigrated.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 6:09 PM with the headline "Bryan Rogers: Those $100,000 teachers are a myth used to denigrate all teachers."