My SIL makes, I'm pretty sure okay/decent pay... (for a teacher) HOWEVER, she loves her job, and her kids (Teaches poor kids from the Indian Res.)... so she spends almost HALF! her paycheck on supplies for her kindergartners. It's almost like it's part job part hobby.

I think that's pathetic that we don't give ALL school's enough money so everyone has everything they need.

Edit: my point being, even if a teacher makes good $$, they can spend quite a bit of it on student's so take home really becomes a LOT less.