Story by Jen Jordan / August 16, 2022
Can an elementary teacher in America make really great money as a twenty-something?
Most people think the answer is “no.” I understand why. At Meeting Street Schools, however, the answer is “yes.”
That’s right. I’m a third year elementary school teacher and I just earned a six-figure salary. With all the talk about increasing teacher compensation around the country right now, I wanted to share my personal story about how an innovative, performance-based compensation worked for me this year.
Before that, however, I want to say unapologetically that upward economic mobility is important to a woman-of-color like me. I am a young professional living in a world of unique opportunities. I want the ability to serve an inspiring mission while also obtaining the financial security I’ve dreamed of since childhood. My parents didn’t have more than a ninth grade education when they were raising us, but they were determined to help us “move up”. Life in New York wasn’t easy, and the winters were very cold, but my parents worked hard to put a roof over our heads, food on the table, and some love in our home.
My childhood circumstances fueled my desire to be financially successful and independent. I went off to college with the goals of a high salary, no loan debt, a business degree, and the beginning of a good life. I graduated with a bachelors of science in Marketing from Fairfield University with hopes of entering corporate law. I never considered teaching.
When Teach For America recruited me towards the end of my senior year in college, my plans changed. Admittedly, the notoriously low salaries of teachers made me hesitant to commit, but I was immediately drawn to the mission. And the fact that I could teach at Meeting Street Schools, a place that is mission-driven and offers a path to making six figures, sealed the deal for me.
I’m also not saying compensation is everything. At Meeting Street I am supported through regular coaching, a great manager, supportive mentors, and focused professional development. I love my team members. I love our families. I love our culture. But to say that those things alone would have been enough for me to teach longer than five years wouldn’t be a true statement.
So, how does it work? Across our four school network, our performance based award system looks at student achievement growth in reading and math. If the students in a particular classroom are on a college and career trajectory, then the teacher is rewarded as such. The more dramatic the trajectory, the more significant the award. My students achieved almost two years of growth in both subjects in 2021-22. Thus, my awards were at the top end of the range.
In almost every other profession, compensation is a direct reflection of performance. Why should teaching be any different? It shouldn’t. That’s the truth that no one is willing to say. Our “Public School of Innovation” is designed to serve students who have been underserved, and the teachers that are making significant growth gains deserve to be compensated accordingly. Not just here, but at every high-need school in America. Most high-need schools’ teachers leave within five years. Without these compensation opportunities, I probably would have left the classroom sooner and been part of that statistic.
I feel valued here for the work I do and the results I achieve with my students. Being rewarded financially is something I’m proud of. Maybe I’ll still go into business, but maybe now I won’t. I’m using my earnings to invest in savings and real estate, thus still satisfying my other aspirations. This works for me, and I’m quite certain that there are many others who feel the same way, even if they’re afraid to say it. Perhaps this approach is the compensation model that other school systems should be adopting.
Anawya Quashie is a third grade math teacher at Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg, which was recently awarded the National Blue Ribbon by the U.S. Department of Education.
Join a community of incredible, passionate people working to change the lives of our students. Our compensation and benefits are a cut above the rest: the most competitive total compensation in the region.
Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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