Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Starting salary For USVI teachers climbs to $50K starting September 2023

- reassurance given by Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr
The starting pay for all teachers in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) will be $50,000 beginning in September of this year, Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr announced Thursday evening, January 26, 2023. Photo: Getty Images
Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr on Monday, January 23, 2023 delivered his fifth State of the Territory Address — the first following his reelection — where he vowed to lift the Virgin Islands into a new era of prosperity. Photo: VI Legislature
Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr on Monday, January 23, 2023 delivered his fifth State of the Territory Address — the first following his reelection — where he vowed to lift the Virgin Islands into a new era of prosperity. Photo: VI Legislature
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The starting pay for all teachers in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) will be $50,000 beginning in September of this year, Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr announced Thursday evening, January 26, 2023.

Speaking during an interview with the Consortium at Gov't House, the governor spoke about the importance of education, stating that it is the only way to prepare the next generation of leaders. "I am one person who definitely believes in education.... I'm going to say [education] is the only way," he said. "And that's where we've got to start broadening our minds."

Mr Bryan spoke of skills that were taught to him by his parents — from upholstery to mechanic work, and even changing the stereo of a vehicle — that he said prepared him for the work environment. "I think as a community we have to recognise that these kids, they are not little dollies, they are young adults that we want to make fully sufficient adults so teach them," he said.

His comments were to convey the importance of teachers in the USVI and his commitment to ascertain that their salaries match their contribution to the territory. 

Regarding when the starting pay increase will take hold, the territory's leader said, "Yes, by September they're going to be to $50,000."

'Rosa, you hear that?'- Gov Bryan

Mr Bryan on a lighter note said, "Rosa, you hear that?" as he spoke directly to Rosa Soto-Thomas, president of the American Federation of Teachers Union Local Chapter 1826 on St. Croix, and a fierce advocate for educators.

The new starting pay will take effect September because the current contract has expired and a new agreement has to be reached by September.

The governor also spoke of reaching agreements with other unions, a process he says can take some time because there are over 30 unions to negotiate with. Even so, Mr Bryan said he is committed to working with the various groups to reach desired outcomes.

The governor first spoke about raising the starting pay for teachers to $50,000 during his fifth State of the Territory Address as governor on Monday, January 23, 2023.

"It is downright ridiculous that our teachers are working second jobs to meet their needs instead of earning that money to enrich our children. We have the money; we will pay the teachers," he said.

20 Responses to “Starting salary For USVI teachers climbs to $50K starting September 2023”

  • WOW (29/01/2023, 14:03) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is great!
  • window (29/01/2023, 14:07) Like (1) Dislike (50) Reply
    Wow only now they making $50k? BVI teachers been making $20k more than that entry level now for atleast 20 years. USVI behind big time with education.
    • Teacher (29/01/2023, 15:49) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
      What nonesense you talking? Get your facts straight before posting false info.
    • Get Your Facts Straight (29/01/2023, 16:01) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
      Teachers without a degree start at 20 something thousand a year and those with a degree and even trained about $34 000 a year.
      Some teachers are in the system for 20 years and more and are yet to reach $50 000a year.
    • Umm? (29/01/2023, 16:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      ????????
    • Hmm (29/01/2023, 16:34) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Which BVI? Can’t be the same teachers complaining, posting and fighting to make ends meet. At a starting salary you are saying our BVI teachers are getting 20k more? Hmm no way
    • Really (29/01/2023, 16:37) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Has to be private school not public for sure.
      • may want to check that (30/01/2023, 09:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        If Public paying the figures people saying here - 20K to start..... you really think the private schools topping that? Do the maths
    • Rubber Duck (30/01/2023, 07:36) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Civil servants get $50k plus in the BVI for counting paper clips, surfing the internet, being rude to the public, and telling people that they can’t have what ever they came in for and will have to come back another day!
    • Lily Ann (30/01/2023, 08:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bruh I hope this is a sarcastic Comment !!!!
  • Norris Turnbull (29/01/2023, 14:22) Like (10) Dislike (18) Reply
    Teachers need to start at $70 000.00 end tory
    • RedStorm (30/01/2023, 19:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Norris Turnbull. Love your comment 70k with a master degree or experience. They wear many hats,including investigators,counselor, judge, juror, babysitter, hairdresser,transportation provider and the list go on. Quite happy for people who show compassion and care for other people’s children.
  • Hmm (29/01/2023, 14:30) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Salaries need to increased in a lot of places in the BVI...ughh!
  • Educator (29/01/2023, 14:57) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    The only thing that climb for teachers is their work load. Teachers in the BVI deserve more. To crown it all the Premier and minister of education were/ are educators. Only God can help us.The last time the past Premier who is also an educator had mercy on us. We got the $300 and one increment but boy, our goose cooked this time,good Fahie, bad Fahie. We have no representation.
  • Really (29/01/2023, 15:08) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    As far as i know no BVI teacher starts at 50,000
  • ann (29/01/2023, 19:14) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I better move to st thomas to look work
  • Great- (30/01/2023, 12:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great news! Teachers are deserving of no less than $70K a year with the work load, emotional and mental taxation of their jobs. No to mention the many things they have to purchase out of pocket for their classroom and students, especially here in the BVI. Hopefully we will follow this great example very soon.
  • Tru luv (30/01/2023, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Iam retired with pension and Soc Sec approx 50,000.. and at times it feels me.
    Can't imagine tolerating these untrained brats for that..no way.
    You have to luv teaching I suppose.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.