America Deserves A Raise

This nominee has been a teacher for 10 years now.  The starting pay was a mere 30k and in 10 years the pay has grown to a modest 40k.  When she began her career she had just graduated with honors from college and wanted nothing more than to teach.  Although many other career choices would have paid far better.  Since beginning her career 10 years ago she has gotten her Master’s in Reading, mostly out of pocket, to help gain more knowledge in her chosen profession.  Most get a Master’s to get a promotion or more pay but she simply did it to be able to teach better.  She is a classroom teacher and that is all she wants to be.  She gained her Master’s degree with a toddler at home and a full-time job.  Through great personal sacrifice she continues to teach.  Although, her own personal finances have been strained a great deal she continues to invest in teaching supplies, books for the children, and end of year gifts for her kids.  She tutors after school and frequently does summer school to help the kids that may need a little extra help.  I find that most people think teacher’s have the perfect job.  You know, summers off and snow day among many other things.  I can promise that she does not take a break.  She goes to school at 7:30am and the school day ends at 2:30.  Rarely, does she come home before 5pm only to do the house work that needs to be taken care and spend a little bit of time with her daughter.  She then goes back to work until midnight or later.  This happens six of seven days a week.  While most of us work 40-50 hours she does 80 a week.  She gives everything she has to educate, to make sure that our children learn.  Most importantly, her success is not defined by money but by how well her children do in life and in school.  She can watch them grow up and know that she had a large part in teaching them many of life’s early lessons.  She is underpaid and educated very well and she loves her job and the kids she teaches.  She would give up everything to make sure those children get exactly what they need every single day.  She is among a group of professionals that deserve any appreciation they can get.  If she does win great if not make sure you find a teacher and thank them.