Teachers are the foundation of our educational system. For many children, teachers make up a big part of childhood, teaching but also helping form opinions on things like trust, respect, and doing good to help others.
For all of the good work they do and the impact they have, teachers should be able to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck.
Here are 5 reasons teachers should earn more.
1. Shortage of teachers
Currently 45% of public schools across the US were experiencing a shortage of teachers, leaving critical positions unfilled.
This glaring deficiency in US education system highlights the urgent need to acknowledge the significance and value of increasing salaries in order to incentivize more college students to pursue careers in teaching. By addressing the issue of inadequate compensation, it can strive to attract and retain talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the minds of future generations.
A study conducted by TIME sheds light on the underlying reasons behind the reluctance of many individuals to pursue a career in teaching. Alarmingly, 76% of respondents cited low wages as the primary deterrent.
2. This can entice higher quality people to become teachers
In addition to the declining number of individuals choosing to pursue a teaching career, there is a concerning trend in the United States where fewer teachers entering the field come from the top echelon of their college classes.
In countries like Korea and Finland, where the education system is highly regarded, it is common to find teachers who rank among the highest achievers in their respective graduating classes. However, in the United States, only a mere 23% of teachers fall within the top third of academic performers.
This disparity in the quality of teachers has significant implications for the overall quality of education. The caliber of educators directly influences the educational experience and outcomes for students. When teachers possess a strong academic foundation, they are better equipped to provide high-quality instruction, engage students effectively, and foster a positive learning environment.
3. Paying more would keep teachers from leaving
In the United States, the turnover rate of teachers is quite significant, with approximately 16% of teachers leaving their positions annually. This high turnover rate means that for every 10 teachers hired, nine of them are needed to fill the vacancies left by those who have exited the teaching profession.
Interestingly, research indicates that a considerable portion of teachers who leave their positions do not retire. Instead, around two-thirds of them choose to pursue alternative career paths that offer better pay or align more closely with their desired lifestyle.
The decision to leave the teaching profession is a complex one and is often influenced by various factors. While individual motivations may differ, it is evident that inadequate compensation and limited opportunities for professional growth and advancement play significant roles in teachers seeking alternative employment.
4. Huge pay gap
When solely focusing on the monetary aspect, a significant pay disparity of 23.5% exists between the salaries of teachers and those in other professions that require similar levels of education. This wage gap raises an important question: why should teachers, who often hold advanced degrees such as master’s degrees, earn less than their counterparts in other fields?
Teachers play a vital role in shaping future generations and nurturing the intellectual and social development of students. They possess a unique set of skills, knowledge, and expertise that are essential for fostering a strong educational foundation. Despite the critical nature of their work, it is disheartening to witness a wage gap that undervalues the contributions of educators.
5. Teacher profession needs to be protected for the future
Without significant changes and improvements in the teaching profession, there is a genuine concern that there will be a shortage of teachers to meet the future needs of students. Such a shortage would undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on students and families as a whole, affecting the quality of education and hindering the development of young minds in the USA.
Parents vividly recall the challenges they faced during the pandemic when they had to assist in the teaching process at home. The sudden shift to remote learning highlighted the essential role that teachers play in the educational journey of students. Parents experienced firsthand the difficulties of trying to fill the void left by professional educators and recognized the invaluable expertise and dedication that teachers bring to the classroom.
As the demands and stress placed on teachers continue to escalate, the once highly esteemed profession may lose its appeal and diminish in perceived value. Teaching, which was once a common childhood dream and a frequent response to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, may no longer hold the same allure. This shift could result in fewer aspiring individuals choosing teaching as a career path, further exacerbating the shortage of qualified teachers.
