I have heard that there is an international teacher card that allows teachers a discount on visiting museums, etc. I emailed the address I received and they have not replied. Does anyone know where I would be able to access this card?

I think this might be the ISIC card. Google on that.

Yes it's a version of the ISTC, international student travel card, I may not have the name exactly right. But for info on it contact the international center at any major university as they inevitably will sell the internation student card and probably the teacher card too. Whether or not the teacher card will get you discounts at museums i don't know. I've visited hundreds of European museums and many have discounts for anyone under 26 or over 60 or 65 and for students, but i've never seen teachers listed on the discounts. So i think the discount, even with the card, might be the same as that for plumbers, who, in my thinking have just as much right to a discount as a teacher!

Oops. I think ISTC may stand for International Student Travel Conference, a group maybe that spopnsors it. It once was sold thru Council Travel, which, though a non-profit student group, went bankrupt and was bought up by STA, which has offices in many university towns and may be able to tell you about the cards. STA, owned by a Swiss banking group, is one of the world's largest student travel sellers.

I think this is what the original poster might be thinking of:

http://www.isiccard.com/isiccard/template.asp?pageId=93

Thanks everyone. Bob, I believe the reason teachers get a discount (and not plumbers) is they will be sharing their knowledge and experiences with a group of young minds. I remember in middle school a teacher that had visited a country we were studying and found his personal experiences more insightful (and current than the 20 year old text). The discounts only apply to museums and the like. I don't want to get into a debate but recognize teachers travel at peak times (Christmas, spring break and July and August). There are never any deals on anything. And yes, I really do appreciate the time we have off (albeit unpaid).

Well I'm a former teacher who taught for several years in a high school and think that teaching is an extremely tough job - one that should be paid top dollar - few people making mega bucks in corporate Amerika could hack the experience of coping with class sizes of 35-40 often unruly students. An extremely unappreciated job - one of the toughest on the planet. But, as my teacher friends are now making $80,000 a year for ten months of service (plus 15 sick or personal days a year; superb healt insurance, etc.) I think they can pay like anyone else at museums. And with most European museums, there is little if anything they can import back to their classrooms of real importance, par example, in the classes I used to teach few kids, even though in high school, could even read. What would I garner from a European museum that would benefit them - at least enough to warrant the discount you think that entitles you to. Anyways hats off to you for being able to cope with teaching!

P.Bob - $80,000 a year teaching????!!!!!
That is the EXCEPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have 2 friends who are over the $60,000 mark, but over $80,000 would be for someone maxed out & ready to retire from either an Abbot district, or a wealthy area - NOT your typical district. (And I live in New Jersey, which is one of the TOP paying states for teaching, but has a HIGH cost of living!)

I have been teaching for 11 years, have a Masters degree, and am just now making $50,000. "Average" health insurance plan. So - I SAY, "HAND ME MY DISCOUNT CARD!!!!!"

I travel to Europe every year, to take courses in classical music. The information I bring back with me IS used in my classroom, and my students have learned a lot from my stories about Prague, Italy, the Netherlands, China, etc..

If you don't educate YOURSELF, you will make a lousy, useless teacher. Travelling, for me, has opened up worlds that make me a MUCH better teacher. I am going to pursue this discount card idea, and post back if I get one. Happy travels!

Maybe I should move to the states! Teachers in Canada start at $35,000 year (Canadian) and max out at $60,000 and that is with a masters or five years university. I used to be an accountant, wanted a more fulfilling job so went back to university for an extra year to become a teacher. I took a huge paycut but find the job more meaningful. Not complaining just explaining. Please don't begrudge me a small discount on an educational experience.

I find it incredible that TWO teachers on this thread can't spell traveling.

Belinda! Traveling and travelling are both correct. From Merriam-Webster: <Main Entry: travel. Function: verb.
Inflected Form(s): -eled or -elled; -eling or travelling.>

You gotta be careful around here. There are many current and former teachers on this board, and they usually know whereof they speak, or in this case, write.

Hi tt,

On our recent trip to Italy we found that all museums gave a discount only to teachers from EU countries.

Yes, Belinda - there are TWO ways to spell the word. Look it up. That is your assignment for this weekend!!!

Just back and in France many locations had discounts for teachers but not for seniors. (Only one place had a discount for seniors in Italy).

However, Veterans, if you bring your discharge papers do get "Free" admission to the Caen WWII memorial museum (entry fee is at 18 Euros per person). My husband and his brother brought theirs (Vietnam era veterans) and both got in free while us wives had to pay.

Specifics please on where a teacher can make $80,000. Even most college professors don't make that much. I'm pretty sure the majority of plumbers in the U.S. make more than the majority of the teachers, and as pointed out above, the plumbers don't have to travel during peak season. A discount card for teachers is a wonderful idea, unfortunately, I've found very few places that accept it.

OK then, my apologies. Two spellchecker programs told me travelling was incorrect.

Teachers' salaries are among the highest in the US in California, NY, NJ, CT and the Washington DC area if you want some place names. A teacher can earn $80K in those places (and I live in one of them) with a master's degree and, of course, after many years of experience, and including the extra pay some schools give for various duties, sports, and extra classes. The base peak teachers' salary (without any of the extra pay) in those states is around $70-80K for someone with a master's. This is not for principals or adminstrators, but teachers. The highest paying major US cities are Yonkers, NY, and Jersey City with a maximum pay of about $85K for teachers with master's degrees.

It's not really the best measure to talk salaries in reference to the "majority" of any profession, as salaries vary based on years of experience in any job or career field. One profession could be 2/3 workers with less than five years' experience, and the other profession could be 2/3 people with 25 years experience. Beginning salaries or those of someone with 11 years experience shouldn't equal salaries of someone with 30 years of experience, either. This is true in every profession. I know many people who earn starting salaries very similar to teachers with similar years of education, or are earning about the same with 10-15 years experience, only they only get a few weeks vacation a year. It isn't that pertinent to talk about what the "majority" of any profession makes. One profession could be 2/3 workers with less than five years' experience, and the other profession could be 2/3 people with 25 years experience.

There is obviously a difference between a full professor and asst. professor, and between tenure track, those with tenure, adjunct, instructors, etc. The current avg. full professor salary in the US is $98K according to AAUP, and that is their university base salary (not including extra income from research grants, books, consulting, etc.) I used to work in an academic environment and still interact with college faculty to some degree, and I know many college professors who make $80K and more. As with any field, certain disciplines earn a lot more than others (economics and business are two high-paying fields in universities).

BTW avg. teachers' wages are more than avg. plumbers' wages in the US (by about 1/3 more), and that is for elementary and high school teachers, not college. Those are official statistics from the DOL and BLS.

I am in my fifteenth year of teaching at an elementary school in Garden Grove, California. I have an an MA and make about $75,000 for 186 days of work.
I think I earn every penny.

I really was just asking how to get the card. I didn't anticipate a discussion on teacher's salaries and spelling ablilities (or lack thereof). Thanks to all who provided info on the card.

PS I think everyone's job is valuable and don't begrudge anyone their salary. Until you walk a mile in someone's shoes..............

Dear logan,

As a former member of the professor business, I suggest that you limit your advertising. $75k for 186 days converts to about $105k for full time.

That's pretty good, even for California.