In a bold move, Arizona school teacher Elisabeth Coate Milich decided to share her pay stub on social media, revealing her surprisingly low salary. This honest post has sparked a necessary conversation about the state of teacher pay in the United States.
Milich, a second-grade teacher at Whispering Wind Academy in Phoenix, posted her pay stub to highlight the reality of teacher salaries. Despite requiring a college degree, Milich’s salary is barely enough to make ends meet. Her post showed that she received a mere $131 raise, bringing her annual salary to $35,621.
Milich’s decision to share her salary was not taken lightly. She wanted to illustrate the struggles teachers face, particularly in Arizona, where they are among the lowest-paid in the nation. While the average salary for Arizona teachers is $47,218, it’s still significantly lower than the national average of $58,353.
Milich’s post also highlighted the additional financial burdens teachers often face. Many are forced to pay for school supplies out of pocket, and some, like Milich, are still paying off student loans decades after graduating. Her husband’s salary helps make ends meet, but she knows many fellow teachers aren’t as fortunate.
In fact, some teachers are forced to take on multiple jobs just to get by. Milich’s words are backed up by a 2017 study, which found that Arizona’s teacher recruitment and retention levels are at “crisis” levels. The study revealed that 42% of Arizona teachers hired in 2013 left the profession after just three years.
Milich’s courageous post has shed light on the pressing issue of teacher pay. As the conversation continues, it’s essential to recognize the value of educators and work towards finding solutions to support them.
