HICKORY, N.C. — Many North Carolina schools are going back to class with fewer teachers than they need, as the state ranks near the bottom for teacher pay.
Amid multiple pushes to change that, one former Hickory teacher is calling attention to Master's Pay, or extra compensation for advanced degrees.
"I think it just comes from a lack of respect for the profession," former teacher Ellen Barefoot Annas said. "I'm just very much of the mindset that a better-educated teacher is going to be a better teacher."
Annas spent seven years as a teacher before leaving in Spring 2023. She finished her education career as a curriculum coordinator at Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School.
Annas does have a Master's Degree, but she understands why other new teachers may not see the point.
"Why would I pay $20,000 to go back and get a master's degree if I'm not getting paid for it?" Annas said.
North Carolina became the first state to remove salary raises for teachers with advanced degrees in 2013. Since then, there have been multiple efforts to reinstate them, including a 2018 march in Raleigh that Annas participated in.
"That was 2018, we're in 2024 now," Annas said. "The talk comes up constantly, but it always gets cut."
The potential $400 a month increase for teachers with advanced degrees is back on the proposed House budget again. However, the Senate has to agree for anything to change. The General Assembly reconvenes to discuss on September 9th.
Despite leaving, Annas looks back on her time at Hickory fondly.
"I loved it," Annas said. "It was very much what I was passionate about."
Teacher pay concerns are something that the Hickory City Schools acknowledge as well. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Griffin shared this statement with WCNC Charlotte:
"Hickory City Schools deeply values and appreciates the dedication of our educators, who consistently go above and beyond for our students, often working long hours to ensure every child's success. We recognize that teacher pay is a significant concern, and while we strive to provide the best support we can, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to fully compensate our hardworking teachers. In order to attract and retain the best and brightest educators, it's crucial that we improve teacher compensation in the state of North Carolina. We are blessed to have such committed professionals in our schools, and we will continue advocating for better resources and support for them."