While most educators think they are underpaid for the work they perform, many others say that educators’ salary is reasonable. Some of the justifications for educators being appropriately compensated for their profession include paid to time off during breaks, health insurance and other perks that augment their wages, and teaching having fewer education requirements. This essay will respond to these arguments and examine what needs to happen in terms of teacher remuneration to properly improve education.

1. Educators’ present salary is fair because of the amount of paid time off incorporated into their work schedules.

This argument is a false and biased appraisal of a teacher’s work year, and it is harmful to both educators and students. This article demonstrates that because educators are underpaid, many are compelled to work second or even third jobs simply to make ends meet. Because educators work full-time throughout the school year, this either means they are stressed and weary from working too many hours during the school year, or they are competing with their students for low-paying part-time employment over the summer. Furthermore, many educators must teach summer school to make ends meet, so their breaks aren’t what many people outside of the education industry envision them to be.

2. Educators’ present pay is reasonable because their occupations require little education.

This is a more nuanced argument against increasing instructor compensation that tackles other concerns crucial to school reform. It is true that most teaching positions (high school and lower) now need a bachelor’s degree. Higher paid roles, such as those in the medical industry, have justified high remuneration to help pay off the many years of schooling required for these sorts of jobs. According to this article, education majors outperform all other college students. This is not to say that educators aren’t intelligent, devoted, and hardworking individuals. However, teacher salaries should be increased, as should the educational requirements for becoming a teacher. This will attract more qualified people for teaching opportunities, which will help students.

To strengthen the school system, instructors must be adequately rewarded for their efforts. This means that educators should not only be paid more but that the requirements for educators should also alter to reflect the importance and complexity of the role. The school system is in desperate need of reform, and educator remuneration is at the center of the problem.

3. Educators are currently compensated fairly since they receive health insurance and other benefits in addition to their wages.

Many salaried occupations also provide health insurance and other perks, thus this is not a viable justification for lower compensation in any function. Furthermore, health insurance and other perks for educators are not as generous as people may believe. This article highlights how many Texas educators are angry by their exorbitant health insurance premiums, with many delaying doctor appointments or working second jobs simply to pay for their ostensibly “benefits.” Again, this is time and energy that should be spent on teaching rather than making ends meet on the side since instructors are underpaid.