The Struggle Is Real: Teachers’ Plight in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties
A Passion for Teaching, but a Struggle to Make Ends Meet
Gina Pineda, a veteran teacher at Wilton Manors Elementary School, is not alone in her concerns. Out of nearly 1,000 Miami-Dade and Broward public school teachers who participated in the NBC 6/Telemundo 51 teacher survey, the majority are concerned about keeping up with the cost of living and have considered leaving the profession.
Pineda said, "We rent, we don’t own. We have one car. After 22 years, I’ve been thinking of leaving Florida after my daughter graduates from high school." She, like many of her colleagues, finds it difficult to save for the future, let alone afford a home in the area.
The Harsh Reality of the Teaching Profession
The survey results are striking: 98% of teachers are concerned about keeping up with the cost of living, and 77% have considered leaving the profession. Many teachers are forced to take on extra work, such as tutoring, coaching, and teaching night school, just to make ends meet.
Michael Floyd, a teacher at Jan Mann Educational Center, stated, "We should be satisfied to know that we have a place to stay, that we can feed our families and not be stressed out, not how are we going to do that on a week-to-week, month-to-month basis." He acknowledged that the salary doesn’t match the work.
A Teaching Profession with a Low Salary
The average teacher salary in Florida is $53,000, ranking second-lowest in the nation, according to the National Education Association. In Miami-Dade County Public Schools, rookie teachers start at $49,500, with a bonus from the voter-approved referendum, bringing their total salary to $52,470. A 20-year veteran takes home a total of just over $64,000.
In Broward County Public Schools, a first-year teacher starts at $50,266, with an additional $500 from the referendum, making their total salary $50,766. A 20-year veteran makes $68,235, including $12,000 from the referendum.
Conclusion
The reality is clear: the lives of Miami-Dade and Broward public school teachers are marked by financial struggle and uncertainty. The low salaries and high cost of living make it increasingly difficult for teachers to balance their personal and professional lives. As Pineda said, "It’s hard to continue on" in this environment.
FAQs
Q: What is the average teacher salary in Florida?
A: The average teacher salary in Florida is $53,000.
Q: How much do rookie teachers make in Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools?
A: In Miami-Dade County, rookie teachers start at $49,500, with a bonus from the voter-approved referendum, bringing their total salary to $52,470. In Broward County, rookie teachers start at $50,266, with an additional $500 from the referendum, making their total salary $50,766.
Q: What is the highest salary for a 20-year veteran teacher in Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools?
A: In Miami-Dade County, a 20-year veteran teacher takes home a total salary of just over $64,000. In Broward County, a 20-year veteran makes $68,235, including $12,000 from the referendum.
