April 2, 2018 / Modified apr 2, 2018 10:13 a.m.

Viral Pay Stubs and #RedforEd: Arizona Teachers Speak Out

Demands for better pay in the state, where salaries are ranked among the lowest in the country.

A nationwide debate about teacher pay has inspired action from Arizona teachers, who are among the lowest paid in the country. Educators demonstrated at the state Capitol last week and demanded a 20 percent pay increase.

Arizona 360 visited the classroom of Elisabeth Milich, who teaches second grade for the Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix. Earlier this month, Milich took her frustration to social media, posting a photo of her salary on Facebook. She explained what prompted her to share the information, and her reaction to the debate it generated.

"This is why I’m 'red for ed,' this is why teachers should be paid more and respected, because not only are we paying for our own supplies, but our salaries are laughable and our raises are laughable," said Milich.

Arizona 360
Arizona 360 airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on PBS 6 and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on PBS 6 PLUS. See more from Arizona 360.
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