# data[].attributes.body
Some confusion over Ann Arbor's pay scale. Is this just pay for teachers or admin/central office?

Detroit's looked closer to what we are used to

# data[].attributes.body
Many of our teachers set firm boundaries about working outside of contract hours

Sometimes discrepancy between years of experience and years on pay scale

# data[].attributes.headline
Is this program about teachers or students ? Students are barely heard and this task was entirely focused to teachers. Why are we here?

# data[].attributes.subject
Is this program about teachers or students ? Students are barely heard and this task was entirely focused to teachers. Why are we here?

# data[].attributes.body
The consensus was that teachers are not being paid enough. Teachers feel that:

1. They spend a lot of time out at home still working on school work.

2. Deal with challenging behaviors.

3. Don't have enough prep time built into the schedule to not have to bring work home.

Therefore, it makes it hard to feel like you're being paid enough. Instead, if you have to hope for other forms of supplemental compensated work.

# data[].attributes.headline
Questions and thoughts we had... (Salary and Experience 1 & 2)

# data[].attributes.subject
Questions and thoughts we had... (Salary and Experience 1 & 2)

# data[].attributes.body
1. Why are AA teachers making much more than Detroit teachers?

2. What's the difference in the resources and funding between the two cities?

3. Why is there a cap on what teachers are able to make?

# data[].attributes.body
Detroit

Step 5 BA = 64, 600

Step 5 MA = 72, 000

% increase for additional education is 12.5%

Detroit

Step 5 MA = 72, 000

Step 10 MA = 87, 000

Calculation:

72,000X=87,000

X=87,000/72,000

x= 1.21

21% increase in salary for 5 more years of experience in Detroit.

Ann Arbor

Step 5 BA = 51, 372

Step 5 MA = 59, 618

% increase for additional education is 16%

Ann Arbor

Step 5 MA = 59, 618

Step 10 MA = 78, 754

Calculation:

59, 618X = 78, 754

X = 78, 754/59, 618

X= 1.32

32% increase for 5 more years of experience in Ann Arbor.

# data[].attributes.headline
one scale was easier to read than the other.  

# data[].attributes.subject
one scale was easier to read than the other.  

# data[].attributes.body
We asked the students and one stated 30K, which led to the discussion of whether that would be feasible or not.

# data[].attributes.body
We enjoy getting to know the new students that come in each year. We enjoy the new skills that we learn with the new topics that we teach. Sometimes, feel like we are always on because we live and work in the district. It is hard being outside of the classroom, still try to connect to students in some way.

# data[].attributes.headline
The AAPS doesn't have educational experience as part of the scale given.

# data[].attributes.subject
The AAPS doesn't have educational experience as part of the scale given.

# data[].attributes.headline
Grade in Ann Arbor chart means the year of teaching and also the levels in the organisation

# data[].attributes.subject
Grade in Ann Arbor chart means the year of teaching and also the levels in the organisation

# data[].attributes.body
In order for Detroit to attract younger and newer teachers, the district increased the beginning salary to $55,000 while Ann Arbor's is only $45,910. However, Ann Arbor tops out at $96,189 and Detroit tops out at $94,000. Another discrepancy was how teachers advance. Some years teachers may advance an entire step in Detroit while in Ann Arbor teachers may advance a half step or less.

# data[].attributes.body
The amount of money we put towards our degrees should be eventually pay for itself

# data[].attributes.body
Being a teacher brings us a lot of joy and we love working with the kids. But, they use the old saying I didn't become a teacher for the money. It's a long running joke, but is used as a reason to pay lower wages.

# data[].attributes.headline
teachers are not getting paid enough for what they are doing 

# data[].attributes.subject
teachers are not getting paid enough for what they are doing 

# data[].attributes.body
1. Are these numbers reasonable and fair?  No, most districts top out over 100,000

1. What does a Step even mean? Years of experience

2. Why is the number 30 years for an increase in the MA experience ?  What is special about 30? 30 credit hours is equivalent to another degree, almost another masters

3. For the Ann Arbor Example? What does Grade mean? Degree level

# data[].attributes.body
What does Grade mean in AA pay scale?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
 CRMT - Winger Revised Task Example 2025

# data[].attributes.headline
The higher education is not valued as much as experience

# data[].attributes.subject
The higher education is not valued as much as experience

# data[].attributes.body
In school: 7.5 hours per day x 5 = 37.5 hours at a minimum at school.

after hours:

weekly meetings for 1 hour before school

planning, grading, trainings: depends on the week: 10+

# data[].attributes.body
Our students believe that good teachers should be paid at least $100k a year. Teachers are the foundation for every career that exist.

# data[].attributes.body
As a group, we don't feel like we are compensated for what we are worth. With the extracurricular activities, summer work, prep hours, extra things, we don't get what we deserve. Other career paths even if you are salary and work over 40 hours you get overtime pay.

We have to fight for every bit of money we need

# data[].attributes.headline
Not much difference between Doctorate pay and Masters+30 pay, so not worth doing doctorate if you want to stay in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.subject
Not much difference between Doctorate pay and Masters+30 pay, so not worth doing doctorate if you want to stay in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.headline
As steps (years of experience) increases then your pay increases. 

# data[].attributes.subject
As steps (years of experience) increases then your pay increases. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Classroom teachers are not compensated for doctorate degrees. There is no financial incentive to pursue that level of education for that teaching position.

# data[].attributes.subject
Classroom teachers are not compensated for doctorate degrees. There is no financial incentive to pursue that level of education for that teaching position.

# data[].attributes.headline
Spend Five minutes in your group talking about being a teacher.  Do you love being a teacher?  Why?  What brings you joy about it?  What brings you fulfillment?  Each person should spend 1 minute explaining what they get out of teaching

# data[].attributes.subject
Spend Five minutes in your group talking about being a teacher.  Do you love being a teacher?  Why?  What brings you joy about it?  What brings you fulfillment?  Each person should spend 1 minute explaining what they get out of teaching

# data[].attributes.body
We love teaching.

We want to make teaching more engaging and include games.

Most of us have a genuine love of math.

Seeing students improve and being able to build connections brings us joy.

# data[].attributes.body
*note we used the AAEASalarySchedules202425 (not the one provided to complete our equations)

y = 2400x + 52600 (Detroit)

y = 2800x + 43000 (Ann Arbor)

# data[].attributes.body
Our group determined that teachers are underpaid, no question. This is inclusive of hours both in and out of school. We did a comparison with a government level position, department of defense. It turns out working similar basic hours they earn about double what we do. The salary schedules vary from district to district, and comes down to contract negotiations per district. It appears that the districts highest in demand for teaching positions tend to pay the least in the beginning.

# data[].attributes.body
Y=2,400X+55,000

# data[].attributes.body
BA(x)

Starts at 55,000 and increases by $2,400 per step:

BA(x) = 55,000 + 2,400(x - 1)

# data[].attributes.body
A step is supposed to be an increase in pay for another year of experience.

# data[].attributes.body
BA= (x)2,400 + 52,600

MA= (x)3,000 + 57,000

# data[].attributes.body
BA(x) = 55,000 + 2,400 * (x-1)

x: step level

MA(x) = 60,000 + 3,000 * (x-1)

MA+30(x) = 60,300 + 3,000 * (x-1)

# data[].attributes.body
Our student felt that hard working teachers should make more money. She understands that her teachers work longer hours to prepare for the lessons they teach.

# data[].attributes.body
Why there is a discrepancy in payment for teachers in Detroit, MI and Ann Arbor, MI since they are in the same state.

# data[].attributes.body
We found this salary schedule on the Ann Arbor School District website

# data[].attributes.body
The Detroit pay scale is linear while the Ann Arbor pay scale is not.

# data[].attributes.body
As Years of experience and levels of education increase pay increases

# data[].attributes.body
We noticed that the Detroit scale was linear but the Ann arbor scale wasn't, it was exponential.

# data[].attributes.body
Detroit - Steps and degrees. How are they so different in pay?

Ann Arbor - What are the grades and steps? How do they determine how they get paid? Based on evaluation? How big is the Ann Arbor school district?

# data[].attributes.body
Does Detroit have job openings despite the pay?

How are the unions? What is the staff size?

Detroit had 12 steps, Ann Arbor has 11 plus 2 longevity.

Detroit has smaller increases based on experience and education (but starting step is much higher). Ann Arbor has larger increases based on experience and education. Lane changes are small in Detroit, bigger in Ann Arbor.

# data[].attributes.body
The average teacher's pay is $55,000, followed by step increments based on the district's steps and experience, as well as additional specialist degrees.

# data[].attributes.headline
Relationship between Step level and Experience

# data[].attributes.subject
Relationship between Step level and Experience

# data[].attributes.body
The step level is direct correlation with the experience of the teacher.

# data[].attributes.body
Per contract, teachers work 32.5 hours and after school work extra hours to prepare lessons and grade the assignments/tests.

# data[].attributes.headline
Teacher work more hours than the school 40 hours.

# data[].attributes.subject
Teacher work more hours than the school 40 hours.

# data[].attributes.body
They work at home to prepare lesson plans, to grade homework and tests, to prepare scaffolding work for different student tiers.

# data[].attributes.headline
$28,000 is not a livable wage (looking at the AAPS scale)

# data[].attributes.subject
$28,000 is not a livable wage (looking at the AAPS scale)

# data[].attributes.body
The incentive for getting a doctorate is not appealing vs. a Masters +30

# data[].attributes.body
We all love teaching because of the students. Working with children and seeing them grow brings us all joy.

# data[].attributes.headline
Doctorate wouldn't be worth it for what you pay to obtain it, yet the pay increase is minimal.

# data[].attributes.subject
Doctorate wouldn't be worth it for what you pay to obtain it, yet the pay increase is minimal.

# data[].attributes.body
The teachers in Group 8 don't think about all the extra hours...they just do it. However, when you sit and think about the extra hours and the hourly rate you are paid including those extra hours...it diminshes the feeling of reasonable pay. However, the 'calling' and/or 'reason' is the focus 90% of the time, leaving little time to perseverate on the rate of pay.

# data[].attributes.body
We still don't understand what grade means on the Ann Arbor pay scale

# data[].attributes.body
180daysx8hours=1440 contract hours

+Hours worked outside of school

= 8hours/wk X 40 weeks = 320hours

1440+320= 1760 total hours

BA year 1-

$43,650/1760= $24.80/hr

PHD year 14-

$99050/1760= $56.29/hr

Do teachers really get paid enough?

what we would get paid if we were paid for the extra hours.

BA year 1-

$43,650/1440=$30.31

320 X 30.31=$9699.20

PHD year 14-

$99,050/1440=$68.79

320 X 68.79=$22012.80

# data[].attributes.headline
many teachers have second jobs, and work beyond contractual hours.

# data[].attributes.subject
many teachers have second jobs, and work beyond contractual hours.

# data[].attributes.headline
We looked at Step 1 first year teacher with a BA $43,650.  Teaching 180 days 8 hrs a day equals 1440 hours.  This was $30.31 per hour.  If we averaged 8 additional hours added 320 hours equals 1760 hours.  This was $24.80 per hour.

# data[].attributes.subject
We looked at Step 1 first year teacher with a BA $43,650.  Teaching 180 days 8 hrs a day equals 1440 hours.  This was $30.31 per hour.  If we averaged 8 additional hours added 320 hours equals 1760 hours.  This was $24.80 per hour.

# data[].attributes.body
Teaching is a passion, and love to work with students, preparing them for the future.

# data[].attributes.headline
The pay scales seem to value experience more than education.

# data[].attributes.subject
The pay scales seem to value experience more than education.

# data[].attributes.body
Ann Arbor had much higher pay, but the cost of living is much higher

# data[].attributes.body
You hit the top of the salary schedule faster in Detroit than Ann Arbor

# data[].attributes.body
If we work 20 hours per week outside of work each week, we would make more than $35,000 more each year.

# data[].attributes.headline
The 30 is the number of credits you've earned past a bachelor's degree. Grade represents a range of pay for jobs with similar responsibilities.

# data[].attributes.subject
The 30 is the number of credits you've earned past a bachelor's degree. Grade represents a range of pay for jobs with similar responsibilities.

# data[].attributes.body
my chance to touch the future & make the world a better place

it is important work

we love what we do

# data[].attributes.body
We all agree that teachers are underpaid. One example of an hourly salary was $68/hour for a salary of $95K. We discussed the disparity in urban districts and having to make hard choices between teaching where we are needed and teaching where we are compensated. If we were paid our school hourly rate for every hour we really worked we would be making $75,000 dollars per year more than we do now!

# data[].attributes.body
Being the change we want to see, filling academic gaps

# data[].attributes.body
We make 40-60 per hour for working hours at school. We don't get paid enough for our degrees, expertise and actual time spent. We also to pay to re-certify, and add to our certifications. Add in the current disrespect for our role, the pay will not increase anytime soon.

# data[].attributes.body
55 hours/week×(180 days/5 days/week)=55 hours/week×36 weeks=1980 hours/year

We used $59,000 annual salary:

$59,000/1980 hours≈$29.80 per hour

(that's before insurance, taxes)

We are not paid enough.

# data[].attributes.body
Important to balance work and life

We should be compensated for all of our work (committee time, emails, planning...)

Maybe have a shortened work day with students to do the work

More pay or reduced time with students to get adequate planning and work time

# data[].attributes.body
Teachers love teaching because of the students. Connecting with them and having fun moments in class makes it all worth it.

# data[].attributes.body
We really enjoy being teachers because of the students. Working with young adults, helping them connect with the content, and seeing that "ah-ha" moment are all very rewarding.

# data[].attributes.body
We do not feel that we are paid enough for our services. We support students outside of school. Our salaries are not competitive with other career salaries. We feel that salaries should be upwards of $100,000 yearly.

# data[].attributes.headline
Difference in Pay between Detroit and Ann Arbor

# data[].attributes.subject
Difference in Pay between Detroit and Ann Arbor

# data[].attributes.body
Ann Arbor teachers are paid more than Detroit for more experienced teachers. Detroit teachers are better paid for starting levels.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
All of our teachers have expressed that they love what they do! We discussed compensation and believe that pay should be increased but feel that we don't teach for the money but for how we feel when we help students succeed. They feel that they are being compensated fairly.  

# data[].attributes.headline
The more experience the more money. They are functions but not linear.

# data[].attributes.subject
The more experience the more money. They are functions but not linear.

# data[].attributes.body
The learning we give and receive from each other. The ability to see our students' connections, not only from students, but how we as teachers evolve every year. We love the connections that we are able to make with our students not just mathematically, but also in their personal lives.

# data[].attributes.body
The teachers should at least get more than 100K

# data[].attributes.headline
Some people have second jobs and put in extra hours. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Some people have second jobs and put in extra hours. 

# data[].attributes.body
We are in school 45-50 hours a week (contract time + other time). Other time could include clubs (BSU, Robotics, Esports), tutoring, planning, copies. Outside school hours was about 5 hours per week (spent planning, grading). Overall, ~55 hours a week of work time for us.

# data[].attributes.body
It would be safe to say that we work too many hours...and not enough. We are always trying to get one more kid on board and understanding. As such, we spend a LOT of time outside school hours to find another tool to achieve that purpose.

# data[].attributes.body
We work on average between teachers about 177 hours month. There are many unpaid hours for planning and checking student work. Unions have not helped with this issue, nor have computers helped.

# data[].attributes.headline
How many hours in school and out of school

# data[].attributes.subject
How many hours in school and out of school

# data[].attributes.body
We work over weekends, vacations, and after the last bell rings! We find it is more than a career; teaching is a calling! The number of hours varies from year to year, from group to group. We've learned different strategies to minimize the paperwork and make boundaries while making sure we meet student needs.

# data[].attributes.body
Teaching is a privilege, joy and a blessing. It is also challenging. We enjoy helping students see their own strengths, and have fun doing it. We love the "lightbulb" moments. Middle school is a tough time...but talking to them as they mature and advance into high school and beyond, it is a joy to hear their accomplishments. It is ultimately fulfilling to see our kids "walk the stage", especially those who struggled along the way.

# data[].attributes.body
In Group 8, all the teachers share that they can't imagine doing anything else and the reward of helping students is our reason for being here!

# data[].attributes.body
Some of us spend a significant amount outside of school to connect with families, new ideas, working on IEPs, organizing. Others work within the contract hours during the day. Although we try to leave work at work, sometimes it does overlap. We try to manage both home and school but it is difficult to balance both. We also attend games and events outside of school.

# data[].attributes.body
The four teachers all do love being a teacher. Love being in school. Working with others. Typically has joy! Depends on day and class make up or what's going on in our lives Students learning brings joy & fulfillment. Lightbulb moments. Fulfillment seeing students out in community after graduation. Seeing student growth

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoy teaching because I like helping them become great students. We also like building connections with students. I like to see them graduate, and make some future plans.

# data[].attributes.body
We love building relationships with students and seeing their growth! We enjoy the daily interactions and being part of sparking joy in learning.

# data[].attributes.headline
I enjoy teaching because I help students to get where they need to be.

# data[].attributes.subject
I enjoy teaching because I help students to get where they need to be.

# data[].attributes.body
We love helping people/students meet their educational goals. We love having new perspectives of life, the comedy of the students, and making real world connections with mathematics for the students. We love seeing students have "aha" moments and grow into the people they didn't know they could be. The students are becoming functional adults in society.

# data[].attributes.headline
We work a lot outside of the classroom. Definitely over the 40 hour work week. Some have other jobs outside of teaching.

# data[].attributes.subject
We work a lot outside of the classroom. Definitely over the 40 hour work week. Some have other jobs outside of teaching.

# data[].attributes.headline
We enjoy teaching but 1 out of 3 of us would've chosen another career. We like working with the students.

# data[].attributes.subject
We enjoy teaching but 1 out of 3 of us would've chosen another career. We like working with the students.

# data[].attributes.body
Why I enjoy teaching ? I enjoy teaching because it is a service and mission. I came out of the medical field to teach so I can see others possibly go into the field.