When we undervalue a profession, we also tell the next generation of
bright educators they shouldn’t bother teaching—or that if they do, they
must take a vow of poverty. And students pay a price: Teachers who
spend nights and weekends working other jobs cannot possibly devote the
necessary attention to their students or lesson plans. Even worse,
talented college students who are passionate about teaching, but seeking
a stable future, opt out before they even begin. No teacher should have
a second job and teachers should struggle less financially so they can
focus on their critical work in the classroom.