TEXT ON SCREEN (0:07)
What do you think is missing in national conversations about teacher compensation?
NICHOLAS FERRONI (0:11)
I think what is missing is the fact that we don’t value teachers. We don’t value their work. We don’t value their commitment. We don’t talk about how many unpaid hours that are not contractually obligated that they do. We put expectations on them that are impossible to meet and then criticize them when they don’t meet them. And I think everyone feels like teaching is not, I mean, very simply, a lot of people think it’s a glorified form of babysitting when in fact they don’t know the nuance, the intelligence, the work ethic, and the passion that goes into it. And I feel like there’s so many answers that we can go because it varies from place to place. But we just have to resource support and pay teachers like they deserve and like they should have been for a long time.
TEXT ON SCREEN (0:57)
What is one of the most important resons to increase teacher compensation?
NICHOLAS FERRONI (1:01)
No teacher should have to work a second or third job in order to survive as a teacher. No teacher should have to beg for supplies in order to continue teaching. No teacher should have to be concerned if they can make their rent payments or pay their mortgage or have a family. The fact is teachers put their heart and souls into this job anyway, and if they’re adequately compensated for what they do, it’ll ensure that they stay in this job. It’ll ensure that the quality of person in the job is worthy of the students that they have.