Quote byCaitlyn Greene, Franklin EA
Teachers are an essential part of our community. They do far more than educate our students. They show up every day as mentors, role models, and trusted adults during some of the most formative years of a child’s life.
This past fall, I lost my former high school science teacher, Roger Shelton. Hearing of his passing was deeply shocking. It felt like losing a part of my childhood. Mr. Shelton was an exceptional teacher, but what made him truly impactful was not just his ability to teach; it was the way he cared.
I was the first person in my family to even consider going to college. I had no roadmap, no guidance, and no one at home who could help me navigate applications or financial aid. Mr. Shelton saw that. He stayed after school to help me through the college application process and to understand student loans. He gave his time freely, without compensation, because he recognized that one of his students needed support.
Because of Mr. Shelton’s patience and commitment, I was able to attend college and pursue multiple degrees. That opportunity changed the trajectory of my life.
Years after he helped me, my siblings walked into his classroom and found the same teacher waiting for them. Nearly a decade had passed, but he was still there. Still showing up. Still caring. Still giving that same time and attention to his students, including my siblings. In a world where so much changes, he was a constant that my family was able to benefit from, and rely on, year after year because he chose to stay in that community.
That kind of dedication is not guaranteed. Right now, it is becoming less and less possible.
While teacher salaries have increased modestly in New Hampshire, other states are outpacing us in the effort to recruit and retain educators. The state now ranks 42nd in starting teacher pay and 33rd in top salaries—and that doesn’t account for the drastic gaps experienced in teacher salaries district to district in New Hampshire.
Those disparities mean school districts like mine, Franklin, are struggling to keep teachers. Our educators are among the lowest paid in the state, and many simply cannot afford to stay in this community. When our teachers leave, students lose not only an educator. They lose mentors, advocates, and trusted adults who can change their lives.
Ensuring educators are compensated adequately is not just about contracts or budgets. It is about investing in the stability, success, and future of our children. It is about ensuring that every student has the chance to learn from a teacher like Mr. Shelton; someone who sees them, supports them, and helps them succeed—not just for one year, but for their entire life.
The question before elected officials and voters in Franklin and across New Hampshire is simple. Will our community—will our state—be a place where great teachers can afford to stay and build lifelong relationships and bonds, or a place where stories like mine become impossible?
