It’s no secret teachers in the U.S. are widely underpaid. Despite putting in far more work hours than other adults each week, teachers in many states make less than the U.S. median salary of about $64,220.
So one philanthropist decided to do something about it. Last week, more than 100 teachers, counselors, and advisors from a school in a suburb of San Francisco were asked to attend a last-minute meeting, according to The San Francisco Standard—and each was handed a check for $9,161.70.
Longtime local philanthropist Maja Kristin donated $1 million to make that happen.
“We, as citizens, can write a direct check, Kristin told TV station KRON4. “My hope was … word would get out, and Marin residents who value public education would step forward one way or another, whether it’s a direct gift or a political act, or foundation pull or something.”
Even though Marin County is one of the wealthiest suburbs of San Francisco, with a median household income of nearly $150,000, teachers in the Ross Valley School District were paid only about $64,000. Meanwhile, other starting salaries for teachers in Marin County are as high as almost $80,000, according to data from Ross Valley School District. And, mid-range salaries can be as high as about $142,000 in Marin County, but Ross Valley trails behind at just $102,000, the data shows.
