Why I Co-Founded the Educator Fund
Hey there!
I wanted to share the story of why I co-founded the Educator Fund. First, let’s rewind: I was an educator for about ten years at Georgia State University. I absolutely loved my job and worked my butt off to give my students those "aha" moments. My goal? Teach these young adults—who often felt more like kids—how to think critically, question the media, determine facts from fiction, and navigate the wild world of information… on the internet.
Soul-satisfying Relationships
I loved every minute of it. The relationships I built with my students were so soul-satisfying. There are two students, in particular, that instantly come to mind—shy young guys. AJ, who initially wore a perpetual frown, slowly started to smile more often as he found confidence in his abilities. The days he would come to my office and share his struggles and hopes… or tell me about the latest anime he was watching. I could sense he was starting to find his voice. AJ's enthusiasm was infectious; his eyes sparkled whenever he talked about marine life. He'd often stay after class to talk to me about his life and favorite sea creatures. Seeing AJ’s resilience bloom and his dreams take flight was a testament to the power of belief and encouragement. In those moments, I realized the profound impact of teaching—not just imparting knowledge but nurturing the human spirit.
I Made $30,000 a Year as an Educator
But here’s where it gets tricky: I was underpaid. And I feel bad even saying that because I know how hard the university system works. I know how much every education system I’ve worked with deeply desires to pay their educators more. When I taught full-time, I made $30,000 a year. It was impossible to live on that. Even though tenured professors earned more, with my master’s degree and passion, making a living was tough. Despite being at the top of my class and getting glowing student reviews, there were times I had to rely on state-subsidized healthcare and groceries for my family and me to get by.
Then, while teaching, a friend offered me a job running a marketing team at his startup… the offer was $80,000 a year—almost three times what I made teaching. Funds were tight, so I had to take it. Within a year, my salary shot up to six figures with stock, benefits, and bonuses on top! Daily life felt different. Suddenly, I could breathe deeply without scrutinizing every single expense.
Ms. O’s iPhone
Fast-forward a few years, I found myself volunteering to chaperone my son’s fourth-grade class on a field trip to a Braves game. The excitement in the air was palpable, but what struck me most was watching the fourth-grade teachers manage 100 kids with $10 vouchers in a stadium where $10 buys almost nothing.
The teachers, displaying incredible patience and resourcefulness, gracefully coordinated this seemingly impossible task. They passed one teacher’s phone around to manage the vouchers, and each transaction was a slow and tedious process. One teacher who taught my older child years ago, a dedicated and compassionate educator, approached me with a smile despite the weariness in her eyes. She handed me her ancient, cracked iPhone, her faithful companion through countless lessons and field trips, and asked for help resetting it. The phone was on the fritz and barely worked, a testament to the sacrifices teachers often make, putting their needs last in favor of their students.
As I looked for a video on rebooting an old iPhone, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness and respect. The school was doing its best, and Ms. O’s dedication was unwavering. Yet, the scene was a reminder of the financial challenges teachers face. Despite their vital role and the immense impact on young lives, they often struggle with outdated resources and limited personal funds. This moment was a poignant reflection of my struggles as a teacher, where passion and commitment often clash with the harsh realities of limited funding.
I was exhausted wrangling just five kids that day, and I couldn’t imagine doing it every day like those teachers. That’s when I started looking for a way to support teachers financially. If I could share even 1% of my salary to give a teacher a bonus, I wanted to do it. But I couldn’t find such an organization to facilitate that… I was shocked! Surely, I’m not the only one that feels this way.
La Naissance d'une Révolution
And that's how the Educator Fund was born. Talking with a fellow parent, Michael F. D. Anaya, at the Museum School, who felt the same way, led us to co-found the Educator Fund.
We realized we could help with this issue! We want to financially support teachers for their dedication and hard work. By raising a fund to pay them more, we hope to make a real difference in their lives and the lives of their students.
Cheers to making a change!
