Texas Teachers Demand Better: "Show Us the Money"

Texas Teachers at a Breaking Point: Undervalued and Overworked

Links:

• Texas State Teachers Association reports that over half of Texas teachers plan to leave their jobs after the 2023-2024 school year.

• A survey of 840 educators reveals a shocking 65% considered quitting last spring.

Why the Mass Exodus?

• Texas teachers are fed up with the lack of support for public schools, safety concerns, and an embarrassingly wide wage gap.

• TSTA President Ovidia Molina says, "I fear many of them have left...if our state leaders don’t start supporting public education and educators and stop making political attacks against schools."

The Salary Situation:

• Texas teacher salaries vary widely, with experience, grade levels, districts, and cities as factors.

• The highest-paying Texas cities: Houston, Deer Park, Dallas, and Austin, offer average salaries between $55,000-$66,000.

• Texas Education Agency salary schedule:

  • 0 years experience: $33,660
  • 10 years experience: $45,630
  • 20 years experience: $54,540

A Bill that Could Have Helped:

• Texas Rep. James Talarico's proposed House Bill 1548 would have granted teachers a much-needed $15,000 pay raise.

  • Sadly, HB 1548 died in the 88th Texas legislative session.

The Side Hustle Struggle:

• The TSTA survey found that 33% of teachers worked multiple jobs during the school year to support their families.

  • Teachers averaged 13.5 hours per week on their second job and spent an equal amount of time on school-related work outside the classroom.

  • 74% felt the extra work hurt their teaching quality, but the financial burden demanded it.

  • Teachers spent, on average, $856 annually out-of-pocket on supplies and $405 monthly on health insurance.

Texas teachers demand respect, better pay, and improved working conditions. It's time for Texas legislators to step up and support those who dedicate their lives to educating our future generations.

#ShowUsTheMoney #EducatorsDeserveBetter #InvestInEducation