They were trying to use her as a shining example of teachers that don't get paid enough.

It is not some random data point that I came up with.

I do think that when teachers first start, they are very much underpaid. But then those that have been teaching for forever are essentially still doing their "entry level job" that you got right out of college and are continuing to do. There are a lot of administrative jobs that pay A LOT!

And just because you have been teaching for a long time, you are not necessarily a better teacher. In fact, there is often a negative correlation. I know so many that are burned out and don't care anymore and are not nearly as good as some of the young teachers.

Granted there are also some amazing teachers that have grown with their experience and education, but the whole thing around a tenured teacher making more than twice as much as other teachers has always seemed odd to me.