David A. Love is a writer and commentator based in Philadelphia. He contributes to publications including Atlanta Black Star, ecoWURD, and Al Jazeera. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidALove. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his. View more opinion articles on CNN.

(CNN) Presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris has a bold plan to increase pay for teachers. The California senator's $315 billion, 10-year proposal is a timely and sensible policy for a nation that must commit more resources to public school teachers and address inequality in US education. However, Harris' plan also makes for an astute political strategy for the presidential contender, allowing her to make inroads among core Democratic constituents who represent the energy and direction of the party heading into 2020.

David A. Love

The proposal amounts to an average of $13,500 or a 23% increase in salary for each teacher. The federal government would pay the first 10% to states to fill the teacher pay gap, then invest $3 for every $1 the states contribute. The Harris plan would also invest billions in evidence-based programs to boost teacher development , with half of the funds going to historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, who, research shows , produce 30% of black teachers, and 40% of Latinx teachers.

According to the plan, an increase in the estate tax for the top 1% of US taxpayers would pay for the measure.

The Harris plan is a good policy solution for a crisis in public education. While crucial to our children, teachers do not earn their worth, and many cannot afford to live in the communities they serve. "Teachers are angels among us. They are the people who inspire our children to be powerful citizens and leaders," Harris said in an email message to supporters and in a post on Medium. "We all know the stories of teachers who spend extra hours after school lifting up students who have fallen behind, or the teachers who spend their own money on much-needed school supplies. Public school teachers earn 11% less than similar professionals, teachers are more likely than non-teachers to work a second job, and the average teacher makes $1,000 less than 30 years ago."