Oklahoma is Losing Great Teachers—Because They Can’t Afford to Stay

Tulsa, OK — Oklahoma’s education system is failing—not because of our students, but because we refuse to invest in the people who teach them. The best teachers aren’t moving to Oklahoma because they can’t afford to live here on a teacher’s salary. Those who do start their careers in the state are often forced to leave for better pay and a livable wage elsewhere.

The reality is that teachers in Oklahoma struggle to afford basic necessities:

• The starting salary for a teacher in Oklahoma is $35,000—while the cost of living continues to rise.
• Many teachers can’t afford their own apartment, forcing them to take on roommates or live with family.
• Some work second or even third jobs just to make ends meet.
• Educators are leaving for Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas, where they can make $10,000–$20,000 more per year.

“If we want the best teachers, we have to pay them what they’re worth,” said Don Smolen, attorney and founder of Smolen Law. “Right now, teachers can’t even afford to live in the communities they serve. How can we expect them to stay?”

How Oklahoma Can Do Better for Its Teachers

Oklahoma once had a top-tier education system, but years of neglect have driven it to the bottom. To fix this, the state must:

✔ Raise Teacher Salaries to a Competitive Level – Oklahoma currently ranks 43rd in teacher pay, far below the national average. If we want to attract and keep the best educators, they need to be compensated fairly.

✔ Provide Housing Assistance – Many states and cities offer affordable housing programs for teachers. Oklahoma should invest in similar initiatives to help educators live in the communities where they work.

✔ Increase Classroom Funding – Teachers shouldn’t have to spend their own money on supplies. More funding should be allocated to ensure every classroom has what students need to succeed.

✔ Offer Student Loan Forgiveness – Many teachers enter the field with tens of thousands in student debt. Oklahoma should expand loan forgiveness programs to make it financially viable for educators to stay in the profession.

✔ Prioritize Education in the State Budget – Oklahoma ranks 46th in per-student funding. We cannot expect better outcomes when we are consistently underfunding education.

“Education is the foundation of our state’s future,” Smolen continued. “If we don’t invest in our teachers, we are failing our students, our economy, and the next generation of Oklahomans. It’s time to make education a priority again.”

Oklahoma can reclaim its place as a leader in education—but only if we act now. Smolen Law urges state leaders to prioritize teacher pay and education funding before we lose more of our best and brightest educators.

For more information or to join the fight for better education in Oklahoma, contact Smolen Law at marketing@smolen.law or call (918) 777-4LAW.