Changes in Education by Sydney

Changes in Education by Sydney - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

The most important change needed in education is to truly value teachers. In the United States, teachers dedicate themselves day in and day out to their students, often serving not only as educators, but also as counselors, mentors, and coaches—yet their contributions are frequently overlooked and undervalued. Teachers are shaping the future, yet their compensation remains low compared to other professions. There needs to be a cultural and systemic shift that recognizes teaching as a prestigious and impactful profession. In many other countries, teachers are highly respected, reflected in cultural practices, strong institutional support, and societal esteem. For example, China, Malaysia, and Taiwan consistently show the highest levels of respect for educators. In contrast, the United States, while moderately respectful, struggles with teacher shortages, high turnover, and societal undervaluation of educators. If we hope for our country to excel, we must elevate and honor the teaching profession. One way to do this would be to pay teachers what they deserve. Currently, college athletes can earn millions to play a sport, while the starting salary for a college-educated teacher is around $62,000. This stark disparity undermines the value of teaching and threatens our future. I truly believe we can—and must—do better for both teachers and the generations they guide.