Dear America: Stop Undervaluing the People Who Built You…It’s Time to Pay Teachers What They’re Worth

We need stronger incentives for people to become teachers, because without them, the future of public education is at risk. In the next decade, we could face severe teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and a system that fails our children. More charter schools and resources for families in need are critical, but at the core of it all, we need to uplift and support the educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the next generation. So let’s do more than offer a round of applause - let’s give teachers the standing ovation they deserve.

These are brilliant individuals who could have chosen high-paying careers in other fields, yet they commit to teaching despite being undervalued and underpaid. I come from a family of educators. My grandmother had a double master’s degree and refused administrative roles because her heart was in the classroom. My aunt served as both a teacher and a principal. They, like so many others, poured their knowledge and passion into our children, often without the recognition or compensation they deserved. This is a national crisis.

Teachers deserve not only gratitude but real financial support. Why isn’t their education fully funded? Why aren’t there stronger incentives to attract and retain great teachers? Our society is backwards, prioritizing so many other professions while neglecting the very people who build the foundation for every career that follows. I love our first responders. I respect our nurses. But teachers should be upheld with the same regard and their paychecks should reflect it. I’m actively working on a proposal for Congress to address this, but in the meantime, parents, stay engaged. Communicate with your children’s teachers. Ask how you can support their classrooms. Real change starts with us.