I am a sixth grader and I have begun to see that teachers are highly underpaid. The average salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree - obtained after four years of college - is about $45,000. Just a fraction of things that are taken from this paycheck include rent, groceries, gas, bills, taxes, and phone expenses, leaving behind very little. What's more shocking is that many of these educators dig into their own pockets to buy supplies for us, their students. 

Let this sink in – our teachers, the ones educating us for our future, must worry about making ends meet. Personally touched by the kindness of my own teacher, I feel this is very unfair, especially since teachers work harder than many other people who earn much more than teachers. Not to mention, teachers often do second jobs just to get enough money, which is not only exhausting but also takes time away from planning and grading.

In conclusion, I call upon our school boards to reflect upon this issue and increase the salaries of our educators. Teachers play such a crucial role in students' lives, they deserve to earn a wage that accurately reflects their dedication and hard work. Take a stand to support your local educators, sign this petition, and let's start making a difference today.