By NATHAN DENNIS

Many teachers don’t get the recognition for their work to educate their students in class, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when it’s even more difficult to teach students. Many teachers provide time for students that need help before and after school outside of their scheduled hours. Teachers’ salaries are too low considering the time, dedication and effort taken to educate their students. 

The Redlands Unified School District typically does not provide supplies except the bare necessities like pencils and computers. If teachers want to purchase other supplies, such as colored pencils, markers, whiteboard markers, erasers, notebooks and paper, they have to use their own money. 

Outside of their scheduled hours, teachers grade work, volunteer for school-related activities and events without any additional pay and provide a flexible time for tutoring test make ups, before school, during lunch and after school.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an additional hurdle that has hindered teachers ability to teach. During distance learning, teachers tried as much as possible to communicate and interact with their students. Teachers provided time for students that did not understand the material being taught to give additional support before and after school, using video conferencing platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom.

According to the RUSD Management Team Salary Schedule, a staff member’s education, experience and position in the school affects their salary.

“Teachers aren’t paid nearly enough, and they feel less appreciated, more stressed, and less supported than they have in the past,” The National Education Association says. 

Considering all the extra time, money and effort teachers give to their school and students, they all deserve an increased salary. A teacher’s pay is not enough for the many things they do for their students. 

Link of Certified :  CEAppA-1.20.21.8.11.20.pdf, 

Lea este artículo en español aquí: https://ethic-news.org/2021/10/16/opinion-los-profesores-tienen-un-salario-demasiado-bajo/