1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to strongly urge you to co-sponsor Senator Bernie Sanders’ “Pay Teachers Act.” As a public school teacher serving in a Title I school, I can personally attest to the urgent need for federal action to ensure teachers are paid a living wage and given the professional respect they deserve. Despite being one semester away from earning my Master’s in Educational Leadership, I still earn less as a full-time educator than I did working part-time in real estate. I am struggling under the weight of student loan debt, rising living costs, and bills I can barely afford. Like many of my colleagues, I spend hundreds of dollars of my own money each year on classroom supplies, simply to give my students the quality of education they deserve. My school is drastically underfunded. We are asked to do more with less—less support, fewer resources, and salaries that don’t reflect our dedication or education. It's no surprise that nearly 44% of teachers leave the profession within the first five years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A 2022 RAND Corporation survey found that teacher burnout is at an all-time high, with over 90% of educators reporting job-related stress. This crisis in the teaching profession doesn’t just affect educators—it impacts our students. Children, especially in high-needs schools like mine, benefit immensely from experienced, stable, and passionate teachers. When turnover is high, students lose the consistency and mentorship that only seasoned educators can provide. Our nation’s children deserve better. The “Pay Teachers Act” is a critical step toward reversing this dangerous trend. It’s time we treated teaching like the essential, skilled profession that it is. By increasing base salaries for public school teachers nationwide and investing in recruitment and retention, this bill will not only support current educators, but it will also help build a stronger, more equitable public education system. Please stand with teachers and students by co-sponsoring the Pay Teachers Act. Your support can help ensure a future where educators are respected, classrooms are properly funded, and students receive the quality education they deserve. Thank you for your time and commitment to public education.