“I Need A Teacher Like This”: 50 Awesome Teachers That Deserve A Raise (New Pics)

According to an April report by the National Education Association (NEA), teachers earn an average annual salary of $77,561. However, this rate primarily applies to those who live in states with collective bargaining laws. Otherwise, the average wage is 24% lower, at $62,325. 

For context, the mean annual wage across all professions as of May 2024 is $67,920, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most people are aware of the financial challenges of being a teacher, yet a good chunk nonetheless choose to pursue the profession. For former special education teacher and owner of the Hey You! ADHD app Dr. Mindy McNeal, it’s a decision she never regretted, notwithstanding her father’s discouragement. 

“I became a teacher for many reasons, but once I actually entered academics, I gave thanks every day that I did not listen to my dad,” Dr. McNeal wrote in an article for HuffPost.

Dr. McNeal finds pure joy in seeing a child’s progress, regardless of how small. She mentioned it as one of the highlights of her career that spanned multiple decades. 

“Watching a child struggle with a letter sound or computation and then witnessing the light in their eyes when they realized that they ‘got it!’” she described.

Teachers aren’t remembered for the homework they assign or the exams they have their students go through. They are remembered for the positive impact they make on a student’s life, and it is something Dr. McNeal cherishes. 

“I am forever thankful that I was afforded the chance to make a difference!” she wrote to conclude her article.

We’d like to hear from you, our readers. What do you think defines a great teacher? And if you are an educator yourself, what is it about your job that makes it fulfilling for you? Share them in the comment boxes below!