On Monday evening, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), new Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) hosted an event in coordination with American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) to discuss the state of teacher pay in America, and call for boosting teacher pay at a critical time as schools contend with teacher shortages.
The event opened with a video message from several educators across the country, including a spotlight on the particular shortage of CTE educators. ACTE was well-represented at the event – Administration Division VP Eric Ripley submitted a video to the committee discussing these challenges.
A panel discussion was also held with teachers and paraprofessionals from across the country. Allison Sylvester, a middle school teacher from Vermont, shared her reasons for remaining in the classroom, which included the opportunity to observe her students learning and growing in both their academic coursework and in their personal goals.
Tracy Tucker of New York added that the example her teachers set when she was growing up inspired her to join the teaching profession. Jacob Fertig, an art teacher from West Virginia, described the statewide challenges that he has seen and experienced as a teacher, including the role that educators serve as a sort of “first responder” for children in crisis.
Arthur Anderson, a paraprofessional from Virginia, described the $31,000 salary ceiling that he has encountered in his position despite decades of tenure. He frequently picks up extra duties at his school, such as custodial work and driving the bus. Currently, he is in school to receive his teaching degree, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his.
Each of the teachers in attendance called attention to the chronically low pay that educators nationwide must manage in order to remain in the profession. Sen. Sanders noted that he soon plans to introduce legislation to increase teacher pay.
You can video that played at the beginning of the even that featured ACTE Administration Division VP Eric Ripley here. A recording of the entire event can be found here.