In a bold move, Arizona school teacher Elisabeth Coate Milich posted her salary online, revealing the harsh reality of teacher pay in the United States. The post sparked a heated debate, with many expressing shock and outrage at the meager salary.
Milich’s decision to share her pay stub was motivated by a desire to highlight the struggles teachers face in making a living wage. Despite requiring a college degree, Milich’s salary barely covers her living expenses. Her post showed that she received a mere $131 raise in a year, bringing her salary to $35,621.
The average salary for public school teachers in Arizona is $47,218, which is still lower than the national average of $58,353. Milich pointed out that teachers often have to pay for supplies out of pocket and struggle to make ends meet. She also shared that she is still paying off her student loans 20 years after graduating from college.
Milich’s post resonated with many teachers who face similar struggles. She explained that many of her colleagues work multiple jobs to make ends meet, and some even have to take on second jobs to support themselves. The situation is dire, with a 2017 study revealing that teacher recruitment and retention levels in Arizona are at crisis levels.
The study found that 42% of Arizona teachers who were hired in 2013 left the profession after three years. The state’s elementary school teachers are also the lowest paid in the country. Milich’s post has sparked a national conversation about the need for better pay and support for teachers.
