Teaching is a rewarding profession, but the salary scale between public and private school teachers can vary greatly. To understand the differences in pay, it is important to consider the factors that influence the wage scale. Private school teachers often have more resources than public school teachers, such as smaller class sizes and access to conferences and workshops. Additionally, the demand for teachers in private schools is usually lower than in public schools, which affects the salary scale.
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) provides curriculum guidance for private school teachers, who may not have access to state education department conferences and workshops like public school teachers. Private schools also have their own philosophies and values that they use to develop a curriculum for the school year. This means that they may subject their candidates to admissions processes, such as interviews, and grant admission quite selectively. Class sizes in private schools are usually between 10 and 15 students, although they may be larger and usually have two teachers in lower schools.
This size allows teachers to understand their students more fully and know how to reach them. Private schools also charge different admission prices, which can affect teacher salaries. The main reason why private school teachers are paid less is because there is less demand for private school teachers than for public schools; the demand is three times lower than that of public schools. Additionally, state laws require that public schools hire only licensed teachers.
When considering a teaching job, it is important to take the time to review the factors that influence differences in teacher pay and set your work priorities accordingly. Finding the right school in terms of philosophy and culture can turn a good job into a true vocation.
