Guest Commentary: PWC needs more STEM, better teacher pay

Recently, I had the pleasure of running for Chairwoman of the Prince William County School Board. I received 43 percent of the votes after campaigning for just 4 months. I was a newcomer; not an established, well-connected elected official like my opponent, incumbent Milton Johns. For four months, I spent days and nights knocking on doors, meeting and greeting people all over our county; speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds sharing with them my vision for education and connecting with them as a parent, teacher and concerned citizen. I ran because I deeply believe Prince William County can lead the nation in education.

Business and political leaders around the world are demanding for more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education programs. Our nation needs great learners and thinkers who can innovate, invent and solve the economic and political challenges of the future. Our children must learn to be great at problem-solving, not just good test-takers. Through STEM we can create a powerful school system that will attract business to our community; bringing jobs and future prosperity. In achieving this, we will see an impressive return on our 57 percent taxpayer investment. Not only will more businesses be attracted to Prince William County and want to invest here, but for our children’s future having jobs here will allow them to stay; ending the proverbial “brain drain.”

Business leaders in Prince William County already recognize this. The Prince William County Chamber of Commerce has developed a strong campaign in support of more STEM education programs. The National Governors Association recently wrote a report stating that “STEM education will be the economic engine of the next century” and they are supporting STEM in K-12. Political and business leaders understand the importance of our education system to our economic future.

Despite the overwhelming agreement that teachers have a significant impact on the prosperity of our community and future of our children, we continue to ignore their worth by paying them sub-standard salaries and criticizing them anytime they ask for more. Only 100 teachers participated in the “Work to Rule” protest. When other teachers were asked why they were not out protesting, many responded because they are afraid. They know no one has their backs. Political and business leaders are staying surprisingly (and suspiciously, I might add) silent. With so much at stake, Everyone should be out demanding our teachers get what they deserve. Parents, administrators, business and political leaders, should be standing together, supporting our teachers. We are all stakeholders in our children’s education. The investment we make today will pay off tomorrow.

The budget process for next year has begun and teacher’s salaries, as expected, were first on the chopping block and sadly, but also expected, no one came to their rescue. Prince William County is one of the most affluent counties in the nation; however our teachers are the lowest paid in Northern Virginia. The average salary is $54,000 compared to the average salary of $67,000 in Fairfax. Despite this discrepancy in salary, our students continue to perform and our schools continue to win awards.

Teachers are being exploited. Without a strong teacher workforce our economic future will perish and the comfort and prosperity that we have all grown accustomed to will quickly evaporate. Make no mistake, if we don’t support our schools and teachers now, the cost will be great and we will all look back with regret because when we had the chance, we ignored it.

There is much finger-pointing, political posturing for future political gains, and our teachers, schools and children are in the middle of it. Let’s see who will have the guts and courage to take the first stand.

Find the money. Find a way to pay teachers what they deserve. Stop the fighting and blaming. Just do it. Stand behind our teachers today. Our future depends on it!