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myths about teacher pay
Feature Article

Myths About Teacher Pay

You’ve likely heard all the tired myths and half-truths about pay and public schools. Unfortunately, some politicians promote these myths to justify decisions about school funding—and specifically educator pay. With the arguments below in your toolkit, you can help change the narrative about our profession.

Education Policy

Young student at a desk looking up

URGENT: Help Stop Census Changes That Will Hurt Public Schools

by: NEA Today October 23, 2026
Tell lawmakers to count everyone in the next census and protect public education.
Idaho teacher Janna Privette standing on the shores of a mountain river.

Into the Woods

by: Joye Mercer Barksdale October 8, 2026
In many rural counties, school districts depend on a federal program that is increasingly unreliable.
project tango prtotest

Why Are Data Centers Being Built So Close to Public Schools?

by: Tim Walker September 14, 2026
Educators are raising alarms about the impact on student learning and how much school funding is lost when the tech industry receives massive tax breaks to build data centers in their communities.

Health, Wellness, & Safety

measles outbreak in schools

School Nurses Face Largest Measles Outbreak in 35 Years

by: Cindy Long September 8, 2026
Lower vaccination rates and misinformation are fueling the spread of the highly contagious virus.
School corridor partitioned for mold treatment.

From Mold Concerns to Collective Action

by: Brenda Álvarez June 24, 2026
How a group of Maryland educators advocated for healthier schools.
theater program on mental health

School Theater Program Tackles Teen Mental Health

by: Cindy Long May 15, 2026
Finding a meaningful way to talk to students about suicide is tricky. Theater can help.

Racial & Social Justice

A woman sits behind a desk, holding a pen in one hand and working at a desk on a laptop displays a calendar.

Teaching Cultural Observances with Purpose

by: Brenda Álvarez October 19, 2026
Aspiring educators share practical strategies for bringing authentic voices, deeper context, and diverse perspectives into their classrooms.
Text reading "Why Books Are Targeted" with the word Books crossed out in red.

The Racist Beginnings of Book Bans

by: Brenda Álvarez September 24, 2026
From laws that made it illegal to read to today’s battles over classroom libraries, book bans have always been about who gets access to knowledge.
A young woman carrying books and a backpack stands indoors by a window, looking at the camera. Her reflection is visible in the glass.

Protecting the Promise of Higher Education for Undocumented Students

by: Brenda Álvarez September 23, 2026
NEA files friend-of-the-court briefs to support in-state tuition for undocumented students.

Salary & Workplace Conditions

Why teachers decide to stay

Why Teachers Decide to Stay

by: Tim Walker October 12, 2026
Salary is always important, but research underscores the importance of teacher autonomy and voice and supportive school climates.
myths about teacher pay

Myths About Teacher Pay

by: Tim Walker October 2, 2026
You’ve likely heard all the tired myths and half-truths about pay and public schools. Unfortunately, some politicians promote these myths to justify decisions about school funding—and specifically educator pay. With the arguments below in your toolkit, you can help change the narrative about our profession.
Illustrated pink arrow rising across the screen

Paying Up: Minimum Salaries for Educators

by: Mary Ellen Flannery September 21, 2026
Minimum-salary laws are a growing strategy for raising educator pay.
Posters

Art Feeds the Soul… And Grows Your Union!

Download a new poster from NEA and put it up in your classroom or staff lounge! Remember you have a federally protected right to show the world that you are a union member.

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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
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