Should Teachers Pay Teachers?

3/8/24

By: Krystal Swoboda

I love to share my thoughts on this, but I am nervous about actually publishing it because I know that this is a controversial issue. I hate the idea of being controversial! Having said that, I do welcome debate!

First of all, let me be clear: this is a discussion and maybe a debate. It is not an attack on anyone who does or does not buy or sell on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). My issue is with the big idea, not individuals. When I was in the beginning stages of teaching, I struggled every month to get by financially. Shoot, what am I saying I am still struggling to survive as a single mother on a teachers income! I don’t blame anyone who wants to make a bit more money. In fact, I admire your entrepreneurship. Likewise, I admire teachers who are willing to spend their own money on their students. Because I am one of them! I am really amazed that this has become such an issue for people. I am willing to spend my money on my classroom when I know that it will benefit my students. I really do not see the problem with this. Another plus side to using the site is that it is benefiting your fellow teaching community. As teachers, we put a lot of work into our lesson planning. So, why shouldn't we benefit from this?

Again, please do not read this as an attack.

Many other teachers have criticized the quality of TPT resources, generally stating that they lack individuality and creativity. For me, even these posts are missing the point. Just like any teaching resource, some products, (Dare I say...even top curriculum publishing companies; who by the way make millions on the schools expense) also provide content that lacks individuality and creativity. If you have taught any type of "box curriculum," you should know what I am talking about. Also, I have highly-respected colleagues who use this site. I know that they would only pay for quality.

For some, teachers paying each other really doesn’t sit well. We work in a profession that relies on collaboration and sharing. We would be unsuccessful without it (or certainly much less successful). I’m a firm believer that we’re all in this together and that we all make each other better for the sake of our students. I care about your students. I don’t know them, but I want them to succeed. If I can support you in any way, I’m more than happy to.

“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other.” Robert John Meehan

The following description was taken directly from the TPT website:

“Teachers Pay Teachers (or TPT, as we call it) is a community of millions of educators who come together to share their work, their insights, and their inspiration with one another. We are the first and largest open marketplace where teachers share, sell, and buy original educational resources. That means immediate access to a world of expertise and more time to focus on students and teaching.” Teachers Pay Teachers

Although most of the above ideas sound good, I do have to state that many other platforms can make the same claims without the need for payment. If payment is required, I still believe that it can be called sharing. Time and time again, I have written about using social media to connect with other educators around the world. This has been a game-changer. I absolutely love sharing my ideas on social media and I am an enthusiastic blogger. I love sharing and I love learning from others.

TPT gives teachers the opportunity to share their ideas with others with COMPENSATION. I do not understand why this is an issue. Let's ask the question: "If other people are making money, why should I do it for free?" Well, lets put it this way.. If I were a musician who just spent hours creating a 12 track full length album, you better bet that I would want to be compensated for the time and effort I put into making that music. If the music gets pirated online, as a musician I am outraged because that is my lively hood! Or think of an artist who has spent countless hours creating a painting, do they give this painting away? No, they put it up in art exhibitory auctions or sell it online in order to be compensated. Lawyers spend a lot of time working on cases, in which they may not be paid upfront, and by the end of the case does the lawyer walk away with out compensation? NO! ( In order to cover the “loss” of income, attorneys will often cover pro bono cases through charges to paying clients) Why don't we think of the teaching profession the same way? On average, a teacher spends an additional 5 hours a week (unpaid) creating their own lessons, and that's a minimum 5 hours by the way. Most new teachers double this time. My questions are: Why are we working for free? Do we hold little to no value in what we have to offer?

"New research, however, indicates a lot more of teachers' time than could be anticipated is being spent searching for appropriate instructional materials to accompany their lessons.

Not to mention, the research says, teachers spend an additional 5 hours per week creating their own instructional materials.

"Teachers spend 7 hours per week searching for instructional resources (both free and paid-for) and another 5 hours per week creating their own instructional materials," says a new 82-page report written by Marci Goldberg of K-12 Market Advisors.

Overall, Goldberg's report indicates that most of the instructional materials teachers use in their classrooms come from them (66 percent), not from their school (51 percent)."

Education World

I am also part of many, Pinterest and Facebook groups for teachers. Many of these have tens of thousands of members. They are a fantastic source of inspiration and support. I share my new blog posts in these groups and sometimes I get offers to share my resources. I think that my ideas are worthwhile and potentially beneficial for fellow teachers. I wouldn’t share them if I didn’t. If members are interested, they can obviously read my posts for free, but when it comes to taking my hard work and using it for themselves as their own, I would like to be fairly compensated. Just like what we would expect in any other profession. Plus, the resources are usually very cheap, and there are many free resources as well. The people who set up these groups did so (I assume) because they believe in the power and importance of teachers collaborating. When resources require money, it is still collaboration in my eyes.

“Education thrives on partnership and collaboration – within schools, between schools, and with other groups and organizations.” Sir. Ken Robinson

TPT is described on the site as a ‘movement’. This suggests that it is gaining momentum and popularity. Of course it is! The world is changing, and with technology we have access to more amazing resources than we ever did before. TPT has finally put the power in the teachers hands! If there is no problem buying from a publisher that makes books, or a company that makes videos or any other educational material, there is also no problem in paying a teacher. TEACHERS SHOULD NOT WORK FOR FREE. I prefer to buy it from a teacher, because it is a seal of guarantee, and also it is the big opportunity to act as a Free Agent and learn about new opportunities, making great products that will improve the world and earn a better life from these seeds that you have given to the world. For teachers who use TPT regularly, please pay close attention to what you are paying for, and make sure you are providing students with top notch culturally relevant pedagogy. ( Check out my next blog on how to tweak TPT and Pinterest projects). I also urge you to develop your plans across multiple free platforms as well. I passionately believe that you can find resources, ideas and inspiration for free or for little charge. In fact, I know it. For teachers who sell on TPT, why not try blogging too?

The following quote sums up my post nicely. I believe that teachers have a responsibility to share and have the right to be shared with. Again, I ask if the word ‘sharing’ can be used if payment is required.

“When you are not sharing your brilliant ideas, you are doing a disservice to others.” Angela Maiers

Perhaps I’m missing the point. I’d be very interested in opposing viewpoints. I am open-minded to other ideas and I realize that many people will disagree with me. I welcome respectful, professional debate. I might even come to the conclusion that I was wrong! Try me.

What is your stance on TPT? Please leave your thoughts below. For more discussions and blog updates, please follow my Facebook Page.