Florida’s teachers are the backbone of our communities. They show up every day for our children, even as rising housing costs, inflation, and stagnant wages make it harder to stay in the profession they love. Yet Florida continues to rank near the bottom nationally for average teacher pay, and rigid contract laws have left many experienced educators feeling undervalued and stuck.

More than a decade ago, Florida rewrote teacher pay rules to heavily favor performance-based contracts. While accountability matters, the one-size-fits-all system that followed has created unintended harm. Veteran teachers on continuing contracts were often locked out of meaningful raises, even as the cost of living surged. School districts have repeatedly said their hands are tied by state law, unable to reward experience, advanced degrees, or loyalty in ways that help retain strong educators.

Now, Florida lawmakers finally have a chance to course-correct.

Legislation like SB 1216 recognizes a simple truth: respecting teachers’ work means giving districts flexibility to pay them fairly. Allowing cost-of-living adjustments, ending penalties against continuing contracts, and recognizing advanced degrees are practical, common-sense steps. These reforms don’t eliminate performance pay—they strengthen the entire system by treating educators as professionals, not line items.

This moment isn’t just about teachers. It’s about students who deserve stability in their classrooms, parents who want experienced educators to stay, and communities that rely on public schools to thrive. Supporting fair contracts and stronger worker protections helps ensure Florida can recruit new quality educators while keeping the ones who already serve our children.

We call on the Florida Legislature, including Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, the Florida Senate, the Florida House of Representatives, and Governor Ron DeSantis, to fully support legislation that improves teacher pay, modernizes contract rules, and upholds basic workers’ rights for educators and school staff.

Doing right by teachers is an investment in Florida’s future. Let’s prove—through action, not just words—that we value the people shaping the next generation.