Miami congresswoman is fighting for $60K starting salary for all teachers | Opinion

As the school year begins in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, it is crucial to recognize the invaluable contributions of educators across the nation. Teaching is the profession that creates all other professions, yet they often find themselves undervalued and underpaid.

As schools begin to start, many school districts across the state face teacher shortages. In Florida, the average teacher’s salary just dropped to 50th in the country, according to the National Education Association.

Florida should be ashamed to wear this badge of dishonor. As a former public school teacher and principal, I know firsthand how important our teachers are and how hard they work. I began teaching in the 1970s when our schools were deeply segregated and underfunded.

We barely had essential resources like textbooks and school supplies, nevertheless thinking about raising teacher pay. Many teachers dipped into their pockets to provide basic classroom supplies.

Yet, all the teachers at the school worked day and night to ensure our students had the best education possible. Low pay should not and cannot be the reality in 2024. But it is.

Despite efforts to improve the situation, many teachers are still confronted with difficult choices between supporting their families and ensuring their students have the resources they need. They must work two to three jobs, from cleaning tables to being Uber drivers after school, just to make ends meet. It’s a shame that little has changed for educators over the years.

When I think about the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents gained a newfound appreciation for teachers’ challenges. With children suddenly at home all day, the enormity of teaching became apparent. And once schools went back in person, teachers were on the front lines of figuring out how to balance safety while fostering an environment of learning and growth.

And now, we find teachers consistently under fire in a state that prioritizes baseless culture wars as opposed to the well-being of our teachers. Instead of focusing on their essential role in shaping young minds, teachers are shackled by fear, forced to navigate a minefield of nonsense rather than fulfilling their duties.

As I continue to connect with teachers, it’s clear that more needs to be done to support them. This is why, as schools start up again, I am once again uplifting the American Teacher Act I proposed, which would make starting teacher salaries at least $60,000 nationwide.

We know that higher teacher pay leads to better student outcomes, including higher test scores, graduation rates, and college attendance.

Starting teacher pay at $60,000 would attract and retain high-quality educators, addressing turnover and recruitment challenges caused by low salaries. This increase would also help close the diversity gap by drawing more Black teachers, particularly Black men, into the profession and ensuring our schools are well-staffed.

But our school year is starting and there are thousands of teaching vacancies. Our students do not have time to wait; they cannot afford to wait weeks or months until their class is staffed with a full-time, qualified teacher.

We must commit to supporting policies like the American Teacher Act that value and uplift the teaching profession.

Let’s not delay in doing the right thing for our teachers and students. Raising teacher pay is not just the right thing to do; it is a smart investment in our future.

And if we really want to solve the teacher shortage crisis, let’s give them a raise.

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat, represents Florida’s 24th Congressional District, which includes parts of Miami, Miami Beach, North Miami, Miami Gardens and Miramar. She is a former public school teacher, principal school board member and is the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project.

This story was originally published August 19, 2024 at 6:27 PM.