I heard rumors about this plan in DC a few months ago. I wish we could consider this in Baltimore also. In a city where our teacher turn-over is so high, this would be a great way to entice good teachers to stay and help the schools get better, rather then recieve their certification, quit and move out to the counties (as many do). At the end of every year all of my students ask me if I "will be here next year". It's sad to me that they have to ask that. With a salary like that, I really would never say no! My answer every year, by the way is 'I *think* so'. I love my students, but many times it's not just about the students.

I think I may be willing to commute!! ;)

It is sad that money is something that we are still talking about in the 21st century. Teaching is the only "profession" that requires a certain level of education, standardized testing, licensing, and, yet, is still looked upon as "public service." We deserve to be paid at a level that allows us to be "professional" in our position in society. Sadly, I don't think that will ever happen in my lifetime. So we are still paid as though we are all single, childless females who live at home with Mom and Dad just like when we ran one-room schoolhouses. I hope that DC can work out a system to pay qualified teachers a six-figure salary and I totally agree with ArtTeacherLady that those types of salaries in BCPSS would make staying less of a decision. Don't think it will happen though. Just pay those salaries to administrators and central office staff.

Believe me I think we *deserve* that kind of money, but I doubt we'll ever see anything close to it. As a profession, we're as far away from a market that produces money quickly. Students are a long term investment, and when they're educated properly they do *eventually* become productive "spenders". But as far as instant cash? Investing in Education doesn't pay out, and paying teachers for the amount of work they actually do wouldn't make sense.