ENG 311: Persuasive Writing
Charli D’Amelio, a worldwide sensation who rose to fame off Tik Tok, reported earning $20 million in 2022 at the age of eighteen. The annual salary for public school educators in Arizona, as of 2022, is $55,240.
A striking contrast that separates trained professionals, educating the next generation, earning less than social media influencers. Not even the legal drinking age in the U.S., D’Amelio has already reached multimillionaire status. Why is it that we value TikTokers over teachers?
In an article published in 2018 by CQ Researcher, thousands of public school educators made their voices heard by participating in protests covering six states where educators were being paid below the national average, lower than the recession of 2009. Essentially, they are getting paid the minimum wage of annual salaries, if not lower. Following the protest, many were inspired to run for office in local, state, and congressional elections hoping to get their foot in the door in order to increase school funding, higher teacher salaries, and provide supplies.
Majority of the debate was deciding where the education funding should be placed, rich private schools or underfunded public schools. We can assume which way they went. In favoring the private schools, they receive plenty of funds from the government with additional throughout the year from donations from high rollers. When taxpayer dollars go toward private schools, it lowers the funding for public schools and salaries.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), the educator shortage has only grown exponentially after the pandemic. Entering 2020 there were 10.6 million educators staffed in the United States, dropping down to 10 million losing 600,000 educators entering 2022.
The pandemic left educators unsure of their value, leaving many feeling unrespected in their position. CQ Researcher reported educator struggle to provide funds to give their students the resources needed to succeed in school while adjusting to a new learning style. Teen Vogue detailed educators’ experiences working in building with overheated classrooms, in the middle of the pandemic, without any mask mandates from the district. When students are left to learn in conditions like these, their test scores are greatly affected unable to succeed.
In an article by Whyy, they reported schools in Pennslyvania are noticing the turnover rate of educators increasing in districts, as they are being poached by schools with better resources. States have been attempting to alleviate the shortage, and they have sought alternative solutions. Schools in Texas have resulted to four days a week, rather than five. In Arizona, they passed a law that college students are able to teach in classrooms.
Meanwhile, Hollywood has recently been shining a light on the issue of educational funding. In 2021 show writer and creator, Quinta Brunson, starred in ABC’s new sitcom set in Philadelphia Abbott Elementary. The show depicts an underfunded and outnumbered public school with passionate teachers using what they are dealt with to help the students succeed. After the show aired, not only did they sweep through winning all nominations during award season, securing themselves with Emmys and Golden Globes, but represented thousands of public school teachers in similar positions.
Brunson’s mission was to provide a stepping stone for educators all over to let their struggles be heard. Before the premiere of the second season, Abbott Elementary partnered with Scholastic providing free book fairs for underfunded schools across the country. Offering sweepstakes for teachers from Lakeshore Learning, working with French Toast in donating uniforms, and 10,000 reusable water bottles donated by Lifetime Brands. Variety magazine released the news of Abbott Elementary partnering up with DonorChoose to initiate a goal of donating $1 million dollars to public school classrooms.
“I don’t get paid enough for this” is a phrase commonly said of an employee asked to do more than their job description or working in unsuitable conditions. Imagine how public school educators feel. They don’t get paid enough for what they do, and the majority work in unsettling conditions. Either 30+ students in a room or no air conditioning. Public school educators deserve more. They are molding out the potential of future athletes, doctors, artists, politicians, and scientists to those who can not afford private school, yet they are underpaid and underappreciated.
In our day and age, we can see a direct correlation between what our society values. More and more money is poured into the pockets of social media influencers while public school educators are left in the dust. Everyone deserves to receive an education, no matter social economic status. Teachers have been receiving little respect for the amount of work. The matter is as simple as can be: neglecting the care of our public schools and their educators is outright neglecting the care of the children in attendance.
Works Cited
- Greenblatt, Alan. “Public Schools’ Challenges.” CQ Researcher, 23 Sept. 2022, pp. 1-29, library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2022092300.
- Juhasz, Aubri. “Pennsylvania’s Teacher Shortage Is Likely Hurting Lower-Income Students the Most.” WHYY, WHYY, 13 Sept. 2022, https://whyy.org/articles/pa-school-districts-teacher-staff-shortages/.
- Kingson, Jennifer A. “Quantifying an ‘Alarming’ Teacher Shortage.” Axios, 13 Sept. 2022, https://www.axios.com/2022/09/13/natiional-teacher-shortage-burnout-pandemic-education-defict .
- Mantel, Barbara. “Education Funding.” CQ Researcher, 31 Aug. 2018, pp. 705-28, library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2018083100.
- Retta, Mary. “What’s Really Going on with the Teacher Shortage.” Teen Vogue, 16 Sept. 2022, https://www.teenvogue.com/story/why-teacher-shortage-in-us.
- Salary.com, Site built by: “Public School Teacher Salary in Arizona.” Salary.com, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/public-school-teacher-salary/az.
Maya Young 