{{{Daisy}}} That so sucks. All kinds of peace and ~ma to you and the boy's family.

At least 95% keep saying that teachers make more money than private sector

I will say that the teacher's salaries in the high school districts around here are pretty decent. The elementary districts? NSM.

In the Chicago suburbs, there are elementary districts (K-8) and HS districts (9-12). I work at an elementary district and make roughly 60% what I made working in the private sector 4 years ago. If I were working at the HS district in my area, I would be making roughly 90% of what I made in the private sector. Better, but still not what I made working in corporate America.

Teachers with tons of years (20+) and extracurricular stipends can and do make very low six figures ($100-120K) around here. Principals all make low six figures. Superintendents make more like $250-500K.

Daisy, I am so sorry. One of my dear friends lost her nephew in a similar accident last year (he decided to try to race across the highway for fun), and it was a heartbreaking experience for all involved. My heart goes out to all of you in dealing with this tragedy.

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Happy Birthday, Andi!

Teachers with tons of years (20+) and extracurricular stipends can and do make very low six figures ($100-120K) around here. Principals all make low six figures. Superintendents make more like $250-500K.

Wow. That's actually...wow, what I think teachers SHOULD be paid!

Thanks again guys.

I am very lucky to work where I work because people knew something upsetting had happened, but they left me alone so I didn't have to talk/cry in front of other people.

Then we had a meeting where business was finished quickly, so we joked around for 20 minutes about people turning into smurfs and guys in lingerie. It put me in a bit of a better place.

I'm sorry to hear that about your friend's nephew as well, Pix.

I wish Bob would tell me how our friend is, because I'm worried that aside from grief, there may be some guilt from dealing with a troubled teen the way parents sometimes have to.

wow, what I think teachers SHOULD be paid!

Yeah. The high school districts pay decently (if you factor in years, education, stipends, etc.). If I say teaching middle school, I'll never see that kind of money. I think I'd cap out around $85-90K with my current education level (Masters plus hours).

High school stipends are where it really pushes you over. For directing a musical in middle school, my stipend was about $1200. For directing a musical in a high school, more like $8-9K. Head coaching gigs? $12-15K.

{{{{Daisy Jane}}}}

Daisy Jane, I am SO sorry about your friend's son. How awful.

Discovered, however, upon driving my car for the first time in two weeks, that it was pulling funny-- took it to the local dealer and they informed me that the tires were shredded and the alignment whacked.

I've got pretty much the same car (mine is the 4 door hard top though) and those run flat tires are a bitch. Really prone to cupping, don't last long, and are not cheap to replace. I'm dreading the first set of them I have to buy, most likely later this year.

In any event, I didn't mean to ascribe any of that negative hoo haw to you, mein smonster.

Thanks, Hec. Whatever it is, signs point to it being mutual.

DJ -- so sorry , stength and peace to you and your friends