Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Aug. 1, 2025

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

The Key to Education is Great Teachers 

The end of July means the start of a new school year is around the corner. With it comes the end of summer and what many children and students consider the fun time of the year. But it’s not all bad. It is also the beginning of instruction and growth. With the start of the new school year, I want to talk to you about the most important part of our education system in Missouri: teachers.

The education system in Missouri is composed of over 500 public school districts, thousands of school buildings and tens of thousands of teachers. The most crucial of which is the teacher. They each seek to serve and educate the youth of this state. They are the shepherds chosen to watch over our children.

A good teacher is the difference between success and failure for a student. Quality teachers provide a learning atmosphere aimed at meeting each child’s needs. They work in partnership with parents to help educate their children.  Without a quality teacher, kids fail to progress, they lose motivation and, ultimately, they are stymied in their educational pursuits. In Missouri, I strive to do everything I can to recruit quality educators and support the teachers we have so they can fulfill that critical support role for the children of this state.

It is why I am proud that Missouri has increased the minimum teacher pay in the state, a change that will be implemented during this school year. Teachers will make a minimum of $40,000 per year, and those teachers that have a master’s degree and at least ten years of experience will see their salary rise to $48,000. 

I helped pass this law to support teachers in our state and address the developing teacher shortage, especially in rural areas. In addition, great teachers should be retained, and by raising the minimum teacher pay we have made it easier to do so.

The more we invest in our teachers, the better the outcomes we will get in the classroom. The key to the future of Missouri is our children. The better educated they are, the brighter the future is for our state. During my last year in the General Assembly, I will continue to do all I can to support the efforts of our hardworking teachers.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.