Wow. That was informative.

I'm a primary school teacher (elementary) in London. Teacher terms, conditions, qualifications and pay scales are set nationally for all of us. We get an extra allowance for London and a couple of other big cities in order to retain teachers where housing costs are much higher. We get paid for 5 to 6 weeks of summer holiday because our salary is paid in 1/12ths.

I'm a class based teacher and generally work 8.30 to 5.30 (teaching 8.55 to 3.30), lunch is an hour but obviously half of this goes in setting up for the afternoon's lessons. I teach every subject within the set national curriculum (everything from english & maths & science to art & history & religion & geography) so the depth isn't necessarily huge for 9 and 10 year olds but the breadth of my job is pretty big. Also, teaching in primary I am responsible for the pastoral care of my students. For the last couple of years all UK teachers get 10% (one morning OR afternoon) of non teaching time for planning and preparation.

I've worked in other fields, came to teaching in my early 30s. Compared to other professional jobs I've had within universities, it is very demanding and I'm often left exhausted at the end of the day. Parent's aren't pleased when the summer vacation is over for nothing! I do like it though and I feel I'm appropriately paid.

Holidays are, of course, set and it is more expensive to travel during school breaks but that's the way it is. We do get more holiday than other professions and that's some of our pay back I guess.

I think one of the things we do have in common in both educational systems that the best career path options take you out of class. Either into small advisory / support roles or into management. It's a shame.

Anyway thanks for sharing. I'm interested in working in the states so I'll have to really study the differing packages and expectations from state to state....... and then head for New York! The cup cakes in Sugar Sweet Sunshine in the lower east side would just be a bonus.