The Teacher Salary Project fights for higher teacher pay to reflect the true value of our nation's educators through awareness and legislation.

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Our Projects

  • Our Feature FIlm

    A collage of diverse teachers and students promoting the documentary film "American Teacher" narrated by Matt Damon. The poster highlights the tough job of teachers and the film's awards, produced by Ninive Caligari and Dave Eggers, with quotes from Washington Post and featuring images of children and educators.

  • Our Book

    Book cover with the title 'Teachers Have It Easy' featuring an ocean scene and a hand writing on a chalkboard, with author names Daniel Moulthrop, Ninive Clements Calegari, and Dave Eggers.

  • Our Film Series

    A split-screen collage of four people in video calls with the question "Why did you want to become a teacher?" overlaid on the middle person's image.

  • Our Legislation

    Book cover titled 'The American Teacher Act' featuring a smiling female teacher in a classroom setting.

WHO WE ARE

The Teacher Salary Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, fights for higher teacher pay to reflect the true value of our nation's educators. By raising awareness, advocating for better, and amplifying teachers’ voices, it seeks to influence policymakers and the public to prioritize investment in education and ensure they are paid what they deserve. 

President Obama signing a document at a wooden desk with the presidential seal, surrounded by diverse group of men and women in business attire, on a stage with blue curtains.

We Impact Legislation

A teacher sitting next to a girl who is looking bored or tired, in a classroom with other students in the background.

We Tell Teachers’ Stories

A classroom with wooden benches and a teacher standing at a desk, engaging with students seated at desks with laptops and notebooks. Students are listening attentively in a lecture hall setting.

We Share Research

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RAISE ACT

Are you a champion for teacher salaries?

  • John. B. King, Jr.

    “Phenomenal public school teachers saved my life as a kid when I lost both my parents. Teachers transform lives every day and should be paid accordingly.”

    Dr. John B. King, Jr.
    10th U.S. Secretary of Education

  • Professional headshot of a smiling man in a white shirt and blue striped tie, with short gray hair, against a blurred background.

    “There is nothing more important we can do for our children, our communities, and our country than put a great teacher into every classroom. That is only possible if we train, support, and pay our teachers like the nation builders they are.”

    Arne Duncan
    9th U.S. Secretary of Education

  • Headshot of a middle-aged Black man with a beard, wearing a black polo shirt with the text 'The Center' and an embroidered logo of a white stylized animal and yellow shape, outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    “Educators, particularly educators of color, face significant barriers to not only entering the classroom but also to staying in the profession. In addition to these barriers, they receive salaries that fall below the living wage across many of our cities and states, thereby deeming this profession as economically unsustainable. Let's show that we believe in our students by investing in those who serve and educate them.

    Sharif El-Mekki
    CEO, Center for Black Educator Development

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with short blonde hair, wearing a gray tweed blazer, blue top, gold earrings, and a necklace.

    “Our country's future is dependent upon a well-educated citizenry. A well-educated citizenry is dependent upon an excellent school system led by passionate, caring, inspirational teachers who are treated as professionals. America's youth deserves nothing less.”

    Deborah Delisle
    CEO and President, Alliance for Excellent Education, former Secretary of Education for Ohio, and former Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education