There are many people who enjoy teaching, but won't consider it because of the pay. Teaching is one of those jobs that is a last resort for many people.

Sure, raising pay will attract worse teachers, but it will also attract better teachers. That means a larger pool of teachers to draw from, more competition for jobs, and an overall increase in quality.

Why does a teacher's underlying motives matter? I hear this argument all the time, and it makes absolutely no sense. If they do an excellent job, then it shouldn't matter if they do it for the money.

Would you rather have an effective teacher who only does it for the salary, or someone who LOVES teaching, but is absolutely horrid at it?

I do, I do! Here's an example: Walking down the street in mid-October, the trees looked beautiful in full color to Julie.