An NBA player earns an average salary of $11.9 million. A heart surgeon, responsible for saving lives, makes $535,100. A lawyer, fighting for justice, makes $105,339. Teachers, the ones responsible for preparing people for these careers, average just $59,000. What is wrong with these numbers? They do not add up.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recognized the mockery that has been made of educators. He decided to call for a pay raise for Texas teachers, acknowledging that the profession deserves more compensation.
“We must fund and train the best teachers. That starts with giving our teachers a pay raise this session. To increase teachers’ average salary to an all-time high, I’m declaring teacher pay an emergency item this session,” he asserted.
Surprisingly, teachers were unfazed by the potential of receiving more money because it goes beyond income; it is about dignity. The lack of interest in pursuing teaching is not about the unrepresentative pay. It is about feeling burnt out from not being taken seriously.
“Money is nice, but teachers would like for their profession to be respected and perhaps even return to having a place of honor,” five-time winner of Best TV Anchor Fred Cantu affirmed.
Teachers do not merely strive to teach a subject of interest; they dream of doing good for the rising generation — serving as mentors, role models and life coaches. However, this once esteemed career is now ridiculed. Students would rather learn and seek approval from “influencers” and people who have taken the easy route.
Educators are the playmakers of this game called life. They are the ones who believe in the kids who have lost faith in themselves. They are the mother or father figure for the students who come from broken homes. Teachers may be tough at times, but it is because they see potential where others see limits. They push students to exceed expectations and leave the bare minimum behind.
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery,” Pulitzer Prize-winning educator and poet Mark Van Doren once wisely declared.
Teachers deserve recognition for the merit of being patient, motivational, and giving. The dedication to positively impacting young minds, hearts and lives should be greatly admired and valued.
While increasing salaries is a step in the right direction to give teachers the true value of their worth, a complete approach incorporates showing support for public schools, developing teachers’ professionalism, providing adequate resources and treating educators with the respect they deserve. Teachers have expressed a desire for working conditions to improve in all aspects, not just finances.
By investing in schools and teachers comprehensively, society invests in the future. This guarantees that students receive the education they deserve and teachers take pride in their essential responsibility.
