East Valley teachers speak out as 'Red for Ed' movement gains momentum

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - According to the National Education Association, the salaries for public education teachers in Arizona ranked 43rd lowest in the country, and many teachers say that leaves them with the option of letting the quality of their classroom slide or reaching into their own pockets to supplement.

"We do need to be competitive, what we're competing with is other states and other industries, and our salaries are not remotely competitive to comparable states," said Steve, a high school teacher.

Steve and MJ are both teachers in the East Valley, and MJ says in this day and age there's more expected of teachers, but less compensation and respect.

"One of the things that we try to do it that we try to make sure that they are secure and safe with today's environment," said MJ, a third-grade teacher. "We're expected to do more and more and that's why we're here today."

Steve says the public interest to help is there and the votes peak for themselves.

"More than half of them say they're willing to pay more taxes for it," he said.

As the "Red for Ed" movement gains momentum, Steve says, personally, he's not looking to go on strike like we've seen in other parts of the country. He says it's all about the bigger picture.

"More than half of them say they're willing to pay more taxes for it," he said.