Teachers in one of San Francisco’s richest suburbs are so underpaid that a philanthropist just gave each of them $9,161

One philanthropist, Maja Kristin, has made headlines by donating $1 million to teachers in a school district in Marin County, one of San Francisco's wealthiest suburbs. Despite the area's high median household income of nearly $150,000, teachers in the Ross Valley School District earn only about $64,000, according to data from the district.

Kristin, who grew up in San Francisco's public housing projects, made the donation last week to help address the underpayment of teachers. In a last-minute meeting, she handed out $9,161.70 to over 100 teachers, counselors, and advisors at the Ross Valley school.

Kristin, a former lawyer specializing in civil cases for sexual abuse survivors, is known for her philanthropic efforts and progressive views. She founded her own law firm and has made several multimillion-dollar donations, including $3 million to the American Red Cross and UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center. She also donated a 120-acre property in Marin County to Halleck Creek Ranch, a nonprofit that provides equine therapy for individuals with disabilities.

Kristin's donation is seen as a direct response to the underpayment of teachers in the Ross Valley School District. Teachers in the district have expressed gratitude for the money, stating that it will allow them to afford activities for their children that were previously unaffordable. Kristin's approach of bypassing institutions to give money directly to educators aligns with the sentiment that citizens can take action to address issues they believe are important.