First-year teachers in Wisconsin are on average paid the second-lowest salary in the nation, according to a newly released study.
Wisconsin ranks 49th in the United States in beginning teacher salaries, at $25,222 per year. The only state with lower salaries is North Dakota, at $24,872, according to the American Federation of Teachers study.
Cathy Rought, public relations representative for American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, said she thinks the results have opened a lot of eyes to the reality of teaching salaries in the state.
""Wisconsin is really going to struggle in the coming years to recruit and retain the best for our kids,"" she said.
By merely crossing state lines, prospective teachers earn a higher salaries for their first year in the profession. First-year teachers in Minnesota are paid $31,632. Illinois has a higher beginning salary, at $37,500.
Jim Igielski, a 2006 UW-Madison graduate and first-year teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Madison, said even though he feels his starting salary is not equal to the amount of work he performs, he cannot put a price tag on his fifth-grade students.
""A lot of people will look at [the salary] and see that it's not as well paying as an office job or an engineering job might be, but those are the people that are more focused on money rather than making a difference in kids' lives,"" Igielski said.
John Johnson, communications director for the state Department of Education, said the results of the survey are definitely a cause for concern. Johnson, who was once a teacher himself, said the state is taking action to improve teacher salaries and retention rates.
One plan includes providing grants to highly recognized teachers who agree to teach in schools with high poverty levels.
""This brings highly recognized teachers to where we need them,"" Johnson said. ""It also helps at the compensation end, and gives incentive for starting teachers to become master educators.""
UW-Madiosn sophomore and education major Evan Wettengal said he thinks the low teaching salary in Wisconsin will force him to consider teaching in neighboring states.
However, Wettengal also said he is not going to become a teacher solely based on the salary.
""I don't think people do it for the money, otherwise they would become a lawyer,"" he said. ""I'm not in this profession for the money, I'm in it for the love,"" he said.
""If you find a school that you really love, and you start to make relationships with the kids, it's not going to matter what you're getting paid,"" Wettengal added.
Johnson said students should have other reasons for considering teaching in the state, and said Wisconsin has had a very strong tradition of teacher-excellence for over 150 years.
""We have different programs and consultants and conferences that can help you become the best that you can be,"" he said. ""You don't necessarily get that in all states of the country.""
