What is the worth of the teacher? by Michelle

What is the worth of the teacher? by Michelle - July 2022 Scholarship Essay

Imagine with me. Stephanie just graduated from Towson University because since she was in high school, her dream was to teach. She landed her first interview to teach at Quarters Middle School, and she would begin that August. That year, Stephanie exemplified what a great teacher should be and do. She created meaningful bonds with students by opening her room to those who preferred to stay in her room rather than the lunch room. She stayed late after paid hours to create lesson plans; she thought of more interactive, hands-on activities they could do. She gave everything she was into this job.
However, the crushing weight of student debt is on her shoulders. Every month, Sallie Mae takes a considerable sum of her income. It comes to a point where it's not sustainable to be spending so much time and money on her class with little return. Eventually, Stephanie stops teaching in favor of a job that will pay her more; those 20 or 25 kids lost a valuable asset to their lives.
The true worth of a great teacher, one that inspires you to learn and helps shape you into a better human being, is insurmountable. Without Socrates, We wouldn't have the Plato we know. Without Howard Thurman, we wouldn't have the Martin Luther King, Jr. we know. Without Maya Angelou, we wouldn't have the Oprah Winfrey we know.
In the United States, the wage gap between teachers and workers with similar education and experience is about 20%, and income growth for teachers has not moved since 1999. It is economically advantageous to leave the profession, and I want to see this change. I hope that Congress would pass the CARES act, which would increase funding for education in this country, including increasing teachers' wages. In turn, teachers would stay in their profession and continue to do the vital work they do.