About teacher salaries, I wonder if you’ve heard of Michelle Rhee, a top school administrator in Washington, D.C.–she says the same thing, but in a very different context, of course. Unfortunately, I don’t have much insight about money and educators. Too often we see those whose job is to entertain getting paid the most, while basic, less glamorous occupations are overlooked and underappreciated.

I suppose there is some balance to be found in those PhD salaries, at least, but as you say, that doesn’t help at the fundamental level of elementary education in developing countries. The only real hope seems to come from greater awareness. That is, the more attention to the cause, the more likely people’s generosity will show. I think your persistence will be rewarded eventually.