Texas teachers say that there will not be enough educators in schools to keep classes in session if their pay is not increased soon. According to a report by CBS 11 News, the American Federation of Teachers, a professional organization for teachers, is planning to lobby state lawmakers in a bid to get teacher pay increased.
According to CBS 11 News, low pay has been a big concern for Texas teachers since last year as the issue rose ahead of safety issues in a November 2021 poll.
There have been incentives and rewarding payment plans for the highest performing teachers in many districts across the state. However, the overall pay for teachers is still below other states in the U.S.
Per CBS 11 News, 45% of teachers who participated in a November 2021 poll called for better pay. In a January poll, only 12% of teachers said they felt safe at work. These statistics seem to show that teachers feel underpaid and undervalued.
According to CBS 11 News, the American Federation of Teachers, a professional organization for teachers, hopes to get teacher pay increased this year. The organization believes that teachers deserve better pay due to the hazardous working conditions during the pandemic.
Texas teachers are also citing the increased workloads they are taking on to ensure that they can help students make up for learning losses and minimize the impact of the pandemic on their learning.
“It’s very upsetting I entered this career knowing I could not have this as a sole income when I have a family, so I put my personal life on hold as many other teachers do, of course,” said a teacher at Houston Independent School District, Nicolette Balough said.
George Cuba, a teaching assistant in Irving Independent School District, also mentioned that he had a seizure, and the doctor told him it was most likely related to stress.
Yes! They should get a big increase for what they have to deal with on a daily basis, plus they are teaching what will someday be the leaders of our country!!