Kalynn Writes Things

Teachers deserve to be paid more – plain and simple. Every single day, they show up for students, often doing way more than what’s in the job description. They teach, guide, listen, and support us through some of the most stressful years of our lives. Yet, the pay they receive doesn’t come close to matching the amount of time, effort, and heart they put into their work.

Most people don’t realize how much teachers do behind the scenes. They stay up late grading assignments, spend weekends planning lessons, and use their own money to buy supplies when schools can’t afford them. On top of that, they have to manage classrooms full of different personalities and learning styles while trying to make sure everyone understands the material. That’s not easy, and definitely not a 9 to 5 job.

I see this up close because my mom is a kindergarten teacher. She works so hard to make her classroom a fun, welcoming place where little kids actually want to learn, but it’s a lot of work. She spends hours after school cutting out projects, prepping lessons, and buying things like markers, books, and even snacks for her students. She cares so much about every single kid in her class, but the amount of effort she puts in doesn’t match what she earns. Watching her do all that has made me realize how unfair it is that teachers have to sacrifice so much just to keep their classrooms running.

The numbers back this up. According to the National Education Association, the average public school teacher salary in the U.S is around 69,000 a year, but that number can be much lower depending on the state, and when you consider how much time teachers spend outside of class working, it often adds up to less than what other college-educated professionals make. Many teachers take on second jobs just to cover basic expenses.

It’s also worth thinking about how much teachers impact our futures. Every doctor, engineer, nurse, or artist started out sitting in a classroom. Teachers help shape those futures, but they’re often treated like what they do isn’t that important. When teacher’s aren’t paid fairly, schools struggle to keep them, That means less experience in classrooms, more burnout, and less support for students.

Low pay doesn’t just hurt teachers, it hurts students too. When teachers are overworked and underpaid, its hard for them to give their best. Some amazing teachers end up leaving the profession because they cant afford to stay, and that means students lose out on experienced educators who truly know how to connect with them. Schools with high turnover often struggle to build stable, positive environments. Students can feel that instability, when teachers are constantly leaving, its harder to form trust, stay motivated, and keep learning consistently.

Paying teachers more isn’t just about money, it’s about respect. It’s about recognizing that their work matters, that the future depends on what they do every day. If we want schools to be places where students can actually learn and feel supported, we have to make sure the people leading those classrooms are valued. We have to start by taking care of the people who make it all possible.