content: Many have to buy supplies and teaching supplements out of their pay. They put in hours outside the classroom doing mandatory renewal classes (in most states) and have no respect from most students or parents.  When you get treated like crap day in  51db   and day out, souring your view on the world, you should be paid better. Plus, who wants to worry about getting shot up by Little Johnny cause mommy and daddy were too busy cheating on one another to notice he had a problem?