Amish teachers do get paid for their services. The parents pay the teachers. There is no standard salary for the teacher. It all depends on how many students they teach and how much money the parents can add to the teacher fund.
Here’s How Amish Shchools Work
The Amish education system follows a distinctive structure designed to meet the needs of their close-knit community. Teaching takes place in a one-room school.
One-room Amish schools are commonly built by the community on donated land. The premises include space for children to play during breaks and outhouses.
A one-room Amish schoolhouse typically hosts 30-40 students. The school day begins at 8:30 in the morning.
Here’s a breakdown of how Amish schools work.
1. Age Range and Teacher Profile
- Amish students attend school from age 6 through 14 or 15 (until the 8th grade).
- The teacher instructs all eight grades but may enlist older students to assist younger ones. Older students often check the younger students’ workbooks.
- Teachers are typically unmarried Amish women with an 8th-grade education. They’re usually between 18 and 20 years old.
- Teachers give up the teaching role soon after they get married.
- Amish women who marry later than average may continue teaching until they are 25 or 26 years old.
2. Curriculum
- The Amish prioritize fundamental subjects such as reading, math, writing, and penmanship.
- Language instruction covers three languages: Pennsylvania Dutch, High German, and English.
- The school teaches students what they need for life in their Amish community and helps them interact with the outside world.
3. Responsibility and Chores
- Chores are integrated into the school requirements, emphasizing practical skills.
- There is no janitor, so students actively contribute to the maintenance of the school environment.
- They clean the chalkboards, wipe the desks, sweep floors, and empty the trash cans.
Core Values in Amish Education
Amish and English societies diverge significantly in their core values when it comes to education. The Amish prioritize collaboration and cooperation and actively discourage competition and the pursuit of outdoing fellow students.
In contrast, public education in the English context tends to propel students towards individual advancement and independence, promoting a more competitive environment.