text: can america afford to pay teachers more money? it is often said that children are our future. education is the medium to aid in making a successful future. why are teachers on the low end of pay when they have to be saragate mother,social worker, and teach to so many of our litte ones. why do americans let this happen when so much trust is placed with people who spend 5-8hrs @ 5days/wk with our kids. well think about this:  the average teacher salary is around $30,000 / year  a shoulder launched missile is $40,000  a cruise missile is $1,300,000  ...imagine how many of those we fire during "war games".  your pay is low because americans don't value your profession. i doubt there will be a drastic raise in pay until teachers refuse to work for less than $50,000.  good luck.  (personally i'm getting an mba and going the business route)