Today I learned that I make about 15k over the poverty threshold according to WIC benefits. So, if I made 15k less I'd be on food stamps. I have a masters degree. I don't feel that I am paid enough for what I do. In the next district over from me (Texas), first years make 1k less than my current salary in my 6th year. I know districts are all different but the disparity is far to great.

With student loans, car payment, rent and bills, I can barely afford groceries as a single mom of 2 kids.

The minimum for teacher pay absolutely needs to be raised. We are doing some of the most important work in our country but we don't get paid fairly. It seems you have to be married to survive comfortably as a teacher. I see it as a great example of the gender wage gap as most teachers are women. On top of that our classrooms and schools are under funded too, so I end up spending my personal money on classroom supplies.

My only hope is that people start standing up for educators and our society make a transition towards greater respect for the responsibility of teachers and education as a whole.

Every day I have tempting thoughts lingering in the back of my mind about how I could leave teaching and get paid more by a private company. The only thing stopping me is my passion and love for teaching and all of my students.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but I just needed to rant on what poor policy we have as Americans surrounding education. Thanks for reading.