OPINION | A former teacher, now state senator, celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

By HENRY INGWERSEN | State Sen. Dist. 32

When we think back to those who have most influenced our lives, chances are one of them was a teacher. For me personally, I was a teacher. It was a tough job at times, but I loved every minute of it.

Indeed, those years were some of the very best of my entire life, and I still remember them fondly. The biggest challenge, and an acquired skill, was balancing the “in the moment” issues and learning opportunities with the planned goals of the day. Some days were great, some disastrous and many were joyful.

There was no greater reward than seeing a child’s face light up when they discovered something new or figured something out. Even better was watching the student – equipped with newfound knowledge or understanding – become the teacher themselves and help one of their classmates on their own journey.

While I consider myself to be lucky, too many current and future teachers struggle to afford to stay in their careers. In 2023, the Maine Education Policy Research Institute found in a survey of students majoring in education that 81% of respondents cited pay as the biggest perceived drawback to a career in education.

It breaks my heart to know that we haven’t been paying these folks enough, especially given all of the pressure they have been under. We simply can’t afford to lose our teachers, whether they’re new educators or experienced ones, to other states.

That’s why, this year, the Maine Legislature raised the minimum teacher salary to $50,000. By gradually raising the minimum salary over the next few years, we’re not only supporting our educators — we’re protecting Maine’s future. Every dollar we invest in education strengthens our communities through a stronger workforce, higher earnings and more vibrant local economies.

“We simply can’t afford
to lose our teachers“

Also, even though I’ve written about it before, I cannot overstate the significant investments my colleagues and I made in our public education system — the students, teachers and support staff — that will prepare the next generation of builders, creators, doers, leaders, researchers, thinkers — and more.

In the Supplemental Budget, which we passed in April, the Legislature:

Invested $5.9 million to improve school bus safety.
Invested $2.5 million to maintain the Free Community College Program.
Invested $350,000 to implement “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans in schools.

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I can’t think of a better way to truly say “thank you” to the folks who are working tirelessly — often in the evenings and on the weekends — to shape the next generation.

If you have any questions about the work we did this session, or need any help with state government services, please do not hesitate to contact me at Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at (207) 287-1515.

And remember, if you haven’t already, thank a teacher today.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Henry Ingwersen (D) is serving his second term, representing District 32 in the Maine Senate, which includes Biddeford and the surrounding communities of Arundel, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman. He may be reached at Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov

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