teaching in South Carolina

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Home : 2002 : January : 13

teaching in South Carolina
By Carolyn

I teach in South Carolina. I have also taught in North Carolina and in Pennsylvania, where I lived before moving here.

We now have an "Education Lottey" which was just started on January 7. This is supposed to bring more
money into education. We'll see what happens as time unfolds.
As for benefits: Each year, the state gives each teacher $100 for supplies. You can go to your local teacher supply store or Wal-Mart and buy things you need for your classroom before school even starts and you will be reimbursed for them. School districts like the one I work in (Kershaw), also give you money for things

you need. I told my principal that I needed calculators and other instructional items this year, and his secretary called the company and bought them for me. I feel very fortunate to be given money and having things I need bought for me so that I don't have to pay out-of-pocket for expenses.

As for health care: I don't know where you live, but in South Carolina, teachers have to pay a portion of their health care and dental premiums. It doesn't add up to a lot of money, but I think you need to know that we do have a payroll deduction for it. We have a prescription copayment.

As for a typical salary, you can go online and look at our district's salary scale. Go to:
Kershaw County School District and then to Salary Scale. It is displayed for anyone who would like to know what our district's salary scale is. Our salary scale is lower than it is in the North, but it's not all that expensive to live here (lower taxes, for one).

They have been telling us every year that there is a crunch in the budget. I guess all of the states are saying that, including where I live (NC). Pennsylvania had worried about paying salaries. They have cut our technology budget. So far, we have been getting raises, though. I believe the raise was 4% this year.

Good luck. I enjoy working in SC--the weather is nice and so are the people--and I hope you will enjoy teaching there, too.