Here is a table of starting and average pay for public school teachers. Starting salary in Tennessee is about $32K.
Teacher Salaries By State | Average Salaries For Teachers | Beginning Salaries For Teachers | Teacher Raises | TeacherPortal.com
I count at least twenty states with starting salaries under $30K. Bachelor degrees are most certainly a minimum qualification. Master's degrees are becoming almost mandatory. Yes, teachers have summers off. But the teachers I know seem to work quite hard during the school year, with lesson plans, grading papers, meeting with parents, etc. Plus, they have the frustration of dealing with kids whose lives are being screwed up by parents who should be shot in the head and left in the ditch. Their role in our society could hardly be overstated. I have the utmost respect. When I am crowned Emperor, these positions will be handsomely compensated.