Laurie Roberts:

Teachers make a difference, but apparently not as much as the governor’s PR guy.

In January, Gov. Doug Ducey stepped up to the lectern and took a stand for Arizona’s teachers.

“I want the teachers of our state to know: You make the difference. I value your work, and it’s time we return the favor,” he said, in his State of the State speech.

A few days later, he proposed a fourtenths of 1 percent pay raise for teachers — though ultimately he was pressured to boost that to a 1 percent stipend.

Because you, teachers, make the difference.

Just not as much of a difference as Ducey’s PR guy, Daniel Scarpinato.

The Republic’s Craig Harris reports that Scarpinato has scored 14 percent in pay raises since Ducey took office in 2015, bringing his salary to $162,000.

Just not as much of a difference as Registrar of Contractors Director Jeff Fleetham, a campaign contributor who snagged a nearly 13 percent raise to $115,000. Or Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay, whose 33 percent raise has boosted his pay to $215,250. Or Corrections Director Charles Ryan, whose 10 percent raise brought him to $185,000.

It seems Ducey has not been shy about handing out pay raises and promotions to his inner circle and staff since taking office.

At least 112 employees who work directly for Ducey have seen their salaries boosted by a few thousand dollars to $73,500.

The average raise: $16,668. Scarpinato, he of the 14 percent pay raise, defended the rewards showered on Ducey’s team.

“You have seen individuals who have really proven themselves and done good work,” he said.

Meanwhile the good work done by Arizona’s teachers merits them a spot among the lowest-paid in the nation.

School districts can’t find enough qualified teachers, relegating far too many kids to long-term subs or people who have no clue how to teach.

Teachers who’ve contacted me since learning of Ducey’s largesse are appalled and frustrated and angry and appalled and yes, appalled at the lack of support and respect for what they do.

Most of their responses can be summed up in the words of Deidre, who has a master’s degree and 20 years in the classroom:

“I teach my heart out all day and need (a) second job,” Deidre tweeted.

But watch and be amazed next year as Ducey proclaims himself the education governor and likely coasts into a second term.

Because he values the work of teachers.

Just not as much, apparently, as he values the work of a longtime pal he promoted from assistant director to deputy director of the Department of Administration.

As a result, Kevin Donnellan scored a 41 percent pay raise, boosting his salary to $161,200. That’s not counting bonuses of $4,836 over the past two years. And thank goodness for that. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue if we had a shortage of deputy directors?