"My questions are why the teachers paid so low? Why they have so much responsibilities which doesn't involve the learning process? Why nobody sees the importance of the day care teachers? Where can I address my questions?"
Elvira, these are all good questions, and I've talked about this at length with my mother, who has been a pre-school teacher for over 35 years.
Teachers are paid so low, particularly pre-school age teachers, because what they do isn't valued much in the U.S. It often didn't require much education (as it does now). It is seen as 'baby-sitting', just diapering and parking the kids in front of TVs all day. You know that is not what you do all day, but sadly the perception is there, that anybody can do it "so why pay more than you pay the kid to dish out food at McDonald's?"
There is way too much work outside the learning process, like charting, for instance. Documentation needs to be done for each child, over and over. Teachers in public schools are compensated for this, few day-cares do so. Cleaning? Ha if a public school teacher had to do what my Mom does in her classroom everyday, most would quit. Daycares have janitors that come in at night, but they don't do the desks/chairs/cots etc. They are disinfected by the teachers.
You can address your questions by subscribing to the NAEYC publications for great background info, check out www.naeyc.org. Also, many daycare and preschool teachers have become unionized, which in my state has led to better health benefits and working conditions. Often they are affiliated with other service unions, namely the SEIU. They are often the same unions that represent Certified Nursing Assistants (another difficult, low-paying job). This differs from state to state, ofcourse. Good luck to you, it's not an easy job that gets little respect and pay, but it can be extremely rewarding.
