I am a second grade teacher at a Catholic school in the rural mid west. I love my school and our students. We have current text books and keep up on what is current with education. I would say our classrooms really are excellent. However, I am getting disgusted with the amount (or lack of) that we make anually. I am almost embarressed to say that starting wage at our Catholic School is $17,775. Our raise is $100 per year of experience. This seems so low for a career in teaching. I love my school and I don't want this to be my deciding factor in where I will be teaching in the years to come. If you are a teacher in a Catholic School in the midwest, can you please let me know what your situation is?