LANSING, Mich. — We’ve talked about how a lack of substitute teachers is causing headaches as schools try to navigate this pandemic. Now there's a possible new problem. More than one in four teachers is considering leaving the traditional classroom, according to a new report. Alicia Nieves shows us why educators aren’t happy, and what might be done to stop the loss at the schools in our area.
Teachers across the U.S. have had to educate in completely new and challenging ways, this year. “right now they are being asked to do the unimaginable and the impossible. Whether that is teaching in person during the pandemic or trying to navigate teaching at home with limited resources.”
Shea Martin (pronouns: they/them) is a former educator who left teaching before the pandemic because the demands and pressures placed on teachers them. Martin simply couldn’t imagine teaching now but recently created the anonymous teachers speak project to give former colleagues an online platform to freely speak about what they are going through.
“A lot of teachers work in districts and working spaces where they are under contract and cannot share or publicly talk about what is happening with them.” With anonymity, more than a thousand teachers have posted to the project.
“I think that i have read and seen some of the most heartbreaking stuff I have ever seen in my life.” Many writing about safety concerns while teaching, being overworked and over-worried about their students. Some even write about coming to terms with leaving the profession.
“Teachers are crying out for help and the profession, and the district, and the schools, and the structures are ignoring them.“ "I hope it doesn’t happen but I think we are going to lose a whole generation of teachers.”
According to a report recently release by Horace Mann, a company focused on investing and insurance for educators, 1 in 4 teachers are is currently considering quitting. ”The fact that a quarter of teachers are considering leaving and the fact that there is already a shortage of teachers in the profession just really make that even more so magnified.
”Tyson Sanders is with Horace Mann“ Three out of four teachers are not living comfortably so if there is an opportunity to be involved in the profession, they are so passionate about and continue to help students i think it is something they will certainly explore.”
That seems to be exactly what is happening, especially with teachers overwhelmed in the public-school space, more are starting to turn to online teaching opportunities – some with private schools or companies.
The “tech ed” space or private online learning where their schedules are more flexible and the pay tends to be higher.
“It’s sad because I wish that our government and our system could figure out a way to adequately compensate and appreciate and take care of our students and teachers the way that they should be.” 1 in 4 teachers haven’t left yet so maybe there is still a way.
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