The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, said with his skills and the amount of time they dedicate to his work, the teachers of the public schools could approximately 24% more than their current salary working on non -teaching work in the private sector.
But the teachers of stay in the professional “because they are making a difference in the life of children,” he said.
In 2021, about 82% of American students registered in public schools, according to the Census Office. But Weingarten said there are not enough teachers in public schools to properly serve those millions of children.
More teachers would mean narrower classes, which gives children a greater opportunity to have their individual needs. It also ensures that students receive a complete education, he said.
“If you don’t have a physics teacher due to shortage, and children want to take physical or need physics, that will affect children,” he said. “If you don’t have a computer teacher, that will affect children.”
Federal money is in the cutting block
President Trump has recently signed executive orders Aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives In K-12 schools already Delete the Education Department. The Department of Education tested around 13.6% of the total funds for public schools of K-12 in fiscal year 2022, according to Census data.
The department is also responsible for maintaining the rights of students with disabilities.
Trump requested federal budget cuts to the Department of Education for Fiscal Year 2026 total about $ 12 billion, or about 15% of their current funds. Most of these cuts would be a reduction in the financing of K-12 in more than $ 4.5 billion.
The White House said the Budget proposal “It provides simplified and flexible funds directly to the states”, and would relieve the federal government of the costs of managing funds and compliance with the application.
“When he sees the federal government, this administration, threatening to retreat these funds, not to have them at all, threatening us as educators who teach the truth about the history of our nation and the impact it has until today, it is said a lot.
Teachers already feel thin stretched
Pringle estimated that teachers spend $ 450 per year of their own money in students, while WeingTen said the figure is ascending or $ 1,000.
Pringle, who taught eighth grade for 31 years, said he remembers having made trips to the groceries to buy sodium vinegar and bicarbonate for the science projects of his students. Postal codes also influence the money that is channeled to school districts, so teachers in low -income areas end up providing more financial for their students, he added.
“They are getting money from their own pockets when they still don’t have enough, and their family’s budgets, and that’s not right,” he said. “This country needs to fulfill its promise for their children and provide the resources that our teachers need to do the jobs they love.”
Pringle encourages students and their families to return support to teachers writing letters and emails to their representatives and senators, publishing on social networks and personalizing the gifts that provide the week of appreciation of teachers.
“Put a note written in that cup and say:” Do you know what? We see you and we care about you, “he said.
Weingarts added: “You are seeing this again and again that people in the communities know the importance of teachers and the importance of public schools. That is why teachers are from the most reliable professions in the country. But they supported 355 days NE -Ne -be Sweated 3”
