Our Editorial Team — Teacher Salary Data

Our Editorial Team

At Teacher Salary Center, we’re committed to providing accurate, reliable data and insights about educator compensation across the United States. Our editorial team combines rigorous research methodology with deep expertise in education policy and labor economics.

Jennifer Thompson

Lead Researcher

Jennifer Thompson, Lead Researcher
Jennifer Thompson

Credentials

  • Ph.D. in Education Policy, Stanford University
  • M.A. in Labor Economics, University of Chicago
  • B.S. in Statistics, UC Berkeley

Professional Certifications

  • American Educational Research Association (AERA) Member
  • Certified Data Analyst (CDA)
  • National Association of Education Writers (NAEW) Member

Background & Experience

Jennifer brings over 15 years of experience researching educator compensation, workforce trends, and education policy. Previously, she served as a Senior Research Fellow at the Education Trust, where she analyzed teacher salary disparities across urban and rural districts. Her work has been published in leading academic journals including the Journal of Education Finance and the Review of Education Research.

Before joining Teacher Salary Center, Jennifer directed research initiatives at the National Center for Education Statistics, where she managed multi-million dollar datasets and supervised a team of analysts. Her expertise spans comparative salary analysis, benefit evaluation, and longitudinal educator workforce studies.

Our Research Methodology

We maintain the highest standards of accuracy and transparency in our research:

  • Primary Sources: We rely on official data from state education departments, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and school district reports.
  • Peer Review: All major research findings undergo independent verification by external education economists.
  • Methodology Transparency: Every report includes detailed explanations of data sources, calculations, and limitations.
  • Annual Updates: We refresh our datasets as new official information becomes available.
  • Bias Mitigation: Our analysis accounts for regional cost-of-living variations and adjusts for inflation using consistent economic indices.

Editorial Standards

Accuracy: Every statistic is verified against multiple authoritative sources. We clearly distinguish between confirmed data and projections.

Neutrality: Teacher Salary Center maintains editorial independence. We present data objectively without advocating for specific policy positions.

Clarity: Complex data is presented accessibly with visualizations, context, and plain-language explanations.

Accountability: We welcome feedback and corrections. Contact our editorial team at our contact form.