Teacher Pay Sparks Controversy

Teacher strikes across the nation have repeatedly highlighted the issue of low pay. Recently, one teacher took a bold step in the debate—she posted her pay stub online, and it caused a major uproar.

A Bold Move

Elisabeth Coate Milich, a teacher from Arizona, did something many avoid: she shared her pay stub on social media. In a country where finances are typically private, Milich wanted to make a statement about how little teachers are paid.

Revealing the Truth

Milich aimed to show that despite the extensive education required to become a teacher, her salary didn’t reflect that effort. Her post revealed that she received only a $131 raise in one year, increasing her salary from $35,490 to $35,621, according to TODAY.

“I actually laughed when I saw the old salary versus the new one,” Milich said. “I need a college degree to make this? I love teaching, but you can’t live on this salary.”

Challenges of Teaching in Arizona

Milich, a second-grade teacher at Whispering Wind Academy in Phoenix, debated whether to share her pay. Ultimately, she wanted to show what teaching salaries really look like in Arizona, a state where teachers are some of the lowest paid in the country.

Although the average salary for Arizona teachers is $47,218, it still falls far below the national average of $58,353, according to the National Education Association. This wage gap highlights the struggle teachers face across the state.

Teacher Expenses and Financial Strain

Milich pointed out another issue—teachers often pay out-of-pocket for classroom supplies like markers and tape. She’s also still repaying student loans, two decades after college graduation.

Without her husband’s income, Milich says she’d be in serious financial trouble. Many of her colleagues are in similar situations. “Some of my friends work three or four jobs just to make ends meet,” Milich explained. “I know teachers who teach all day, then waitress at Applebee’s.”

The Struggle for Single Teachers

“If you’re single, you can’t survive on this salary,” Milich added. Research supports her claim. A 2017 study by Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute found that teacher retention in Arizona is at a crisis level. The study revealed that 42% of teachers hired in 2013 left the profession within three years, with Arizona’s elementary school teachers being the lowest paid in the country.