Mississippi News for Nonprofits Some educators and advocates are delighted by the proposed pay increases. Separate proposals were presented by the Senate and House last week. The Senate proposal would increase the starting salary of teachers to $40,000, and it includes substantial pay increases at five-year intervals as teachers get more experience. The House plan provides a starting salary of $43,000 as well as a $2,000 increase for teacher assistants. Klara Aizupitis from South Panola High School, U.S. History teacher, said, “When I saw both the Senate and House plans, I was really surprised.” “I didn’t expect anything like this. I was expecting more from what we were seeing. The lip service promising a raise, then having it not be, was disappointing. Aizupitis stated that the House plan is “really wonderful” and said it will make Mississippi competitive with other Southern States. She was also happy to see raises for teacher aids. However, the Senate proposal’s five-year increases should not be overlooked. She said, “It is really important to have something every five year to look forward to…is actually very important for keeping teachers around. Not only are they attracted to Mississippi but also to keep them there.” According to the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, almost 50% of new teachers quit the profession within five years. READ MORE: What would the Senate’s salary increase plan mean for you? Aizupitis has been a teacher in Mississippi for five year. Aizupitis coaches girls powerlifting and varsity soccer to supplement her income. She also teaches at summer school. “I want to continue teaching and I cannot imagine doing anything else at the moment. But, even though I have worked 12-, 13, 14 and 15-hour hours throughout the year, there is always something that makes me wonder if it’s worth it. “The fact that I could make as much as, if not more to have a normal life is something that’s always in my mind.” Davis stated that she was grateful for the House plan, which included a raise for teacher aids. However, Davis also expressed concern over the Senate’s plan of phasing in raises. She said, “They’re afraid that you’ll get only the first year’s raise and then the next year, it will be ‘oh we ran out of cash.'” Davis, who has been teaching 25 years, taught at Mississippi Valley State University’s satellite campus. She also cleaned houses to make ends met. Davis isn’t confident that the proposals will have a significant impact as she believes that recruiting new teachers is about making schools a place people want to work. Davis also pointed out the decline in the number of teachers who have graduated from Mississippi’s teacher preparation programs as a concern. According to Mississippi First, there was a 32% drop in the number of graduates from Mississippi’s teacher preparation programs between 2014 and 2018. Athena Lindsey, South Delta Middle School, stated that she believes these plans will be a good starting point. “Most people in this profession know that it isn’t a high-paying job.” “I think this raise will allow them to stay on the right track, because that is what we want. If you are passionate about the profession, and feel that it is your calling and feel fulfilled by it, you will stay. “The problem is getting them into.” Lindsey stated that she enjoys both of the plans. The Senate plan has pay increases that she thinks will keep veteran teachers in school. However, Lindsey also likes that the House plan includes teaching assistants. She believes they are vital to education. Lindsey hopes that the Legislature will address student loan forgiveness. Many teachers she knows, including herself, have returned to school in order to get a raise and advanced degrees. Lindsey stated that “but by going back to school you still put your self further in debt.” “But by going back to school, you still put yourself further into debt,” Lindsey said. Erica Jones, president of Mississippi Association of Educators, added that even if you get a pay raise, it is difficult to feel it. She also believes that all education support staff should be given raises such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, facilities managers, and teacher assistants. Jones stated that a teacher raise at this stage would be exactly what they require. They have had to fight the pandemic, work remotely, and manage a hybrid schedule. Our educators are continuing to go into every day and do their very best. This is the right time to raise teacher pay,” Davis and Aizupitis stressed the vital role teachers play in shaping society and said that they hope it will continue to be recognized once these plans are implemented. Davis stated that teachers are the profession that makes other professions possible. Clarification 1/19/22 – The starting salary for the base level of the House proposal is $43,000 and not $43,125.