Empower… not Enable.
Teachers… our greatest asset.
“Already underpaid, it is unrealistic to expect our teachers to pay out of pocket to ensure their classroom not only has the necessary materials, but also for students to have rewarding experiences outside the classroom. But this is what our teachers are doing in Dent County… their commitment to their students goes beyond their own need. They are heavily invested personally in our students – they are the children of friends and/or relatives – so they truly give “above and beyond” a whole new meaning. By pulling together as a community to empower our teachers, we will, in turn, empower and enrich our students.”
– Lisa Durbin-Hester
Across this nation, schools are facing recruitment and staff retention challenges, and Missouri, especially rural Missouri, is the hardest hit. Representatives from the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) state that this is directly related to poor compensation for educators in the state, and the rising cost of living. Currently, Missouri ranks 50th in the nation for educators’ average starting salary, at just $32,970, roughly 19.9% less than the national average starting wage of $41,163 per year, according to the National Education Association.
Adding to that, many rural teachers have had to stretch their low pay even further this year — to cover out-of-pocket purchases of personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and other pandemic essentials. For many reasons, including low pay, isolation and scarcity of housing, retaining teaching talent is an especially acute problem in rural Missouri.