Teacher salaries increase to help decrease teacher shortage
Let’s face it. Teacher salaries won’t make us rich. But, chances are, you didn’t decide to get into teaching for the money. The choice you made to become a teacher comes with a greater reward that money can’t buy. The real reward might be the metamorphosis you get to watch. It’s seeing the change in that shy anxious child who enters your classroom in the fall and emerges nine months later, a confident and competent leader. Maybe your reward is the sweet crayon and construction paper cards that grace your bulletin board. They serve as a reminder that your positive impact goes far beyond the 180 days a student will spend in your classroom. Or your reward may come later. Perhaps it’s the email you’ll get five years from now saying thank you for being a part of your student’s journey to success.
Yes, the rewards are priceless. But, a teaching career can be even more rewarding when you are adequately compensated for the valuable work you do.
It’s no secret that most teachers are drastically underpaid, considering the weight they carry in educating our future generations. Teacher shortages have been a challenge for a while. But, the problem was exacerbated during the pandemic. Many teachers faced burnout and didn’t feel they were being compensated enough. Now, more states have discovered that to attract and retain their best educators, they must provide tangible rewards like increased teacher salaries and added bonuses.
States experiencing the highest teacher shortages are:
- California
- Nevada
- Washington
- Arizona
- Hawaii
The top 5 states for teacher salaries in 2022 include:
- New York ($85,889)
- California ($83,059)
- Massachusetts ($82,042)
- Connecticut ($76,465)
- New Jersey ($74,760)
Recently, a growing number of districts announced a significant pay increase in teacher salaries for the 2022-23 school year. Are you considering a teaching job for the first time? This might be the perfect time to make that career move you’ve been dreaming of. Many districts have even sweetened the deal with signing bonuses and relocation packages for new teachers.
In Texas, Killeen ISD is stepping up to decrease teacher shortages in some of the more specialized positions. They are offering a $5000 stipend for special education teachers and $7500 for bilingual teachers. They are also willing to pay relocation expenses up to $2000.
Dallas ISD in Texas has increased their starting teacher salaries in the upcoming school year to $60,000 with an added $2000 hiring incentive for both new and experienced teachers. In an effort to encourage and support those making a career shift into education, Dallas ISD has approved a $4000 reimbursement towards any Texas accredited alternative certification program. This reimbursement is available for newly hired teachers who have their intern certificate posted in 2022 or later. iTeach is included in the certification programs covered by the reimbursement.
With so many districts recognizing the need for quality educators, and realizing the changes that need to be made to recruit and retain them, things are looking up for teachers. If you’ve always imagined yourself in a classroom, if you’ve thought about how you can leave your mark in this world, or if you are ready to reap the numerous rewards that only a teaching career can provide, there is no better time to do it than now.
Become a Teacher. Change Lives.
If you are passionate about impacting the world around you there are few places where you can influence the future as much as a teacher. Teachers have the ability to build students up and set them on a positive course that can have a ripple effect for future generations.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher, check out our online teacher certification process and you could be teaching in a matter of weeks.
