We’ll agree to disagree. Having spent 34 yrs in the schools with 32 as a supervisor and 21 of those as an executive admin cabinet member I speak from experience. I have worked in districts of 1,100 students to 11,000 students.
The teacher unions are notoriously difficult to manage for many leaders. Perhaps all unions are the same -not sure, only been a member of 2 others in my career…. Teaching pays around $40-45,000 to start ( clearly an average from across the field of MY experience from outstate and metro.) Walk out the school doors around June 15 and return around the 3rd week of August. Most find other employ for the summer, whether in summer school or something different to get a mental break. Those that don’t are pursuing more education to move up on the pay scale ( cost them out of their own pocket for the most part, some districts provide support here).
Teaching is NOT easy. Nor is CPA work, retail, any of the trades – they are all difficult with different “stressors” related to the day to day grind. Many of the teachers I interview and in many cases hire/d were still in that “Leave it to Beaver” mode about cute little kids, summers and every holiday off. THere would be huge downswing of grads if they were required to do their student teaching on the front end and actually saw what the classroom was really like. AS mentioned from someone else, PArents are the worst in many cases, little support from admin depending on who your leader is, minimal follow-up from home for homework or discipline and what can seem like being abandoned in a life boat for many. THat is a large part of the teacher turnover problem. I am not slamming anyone for their opinions. I responded to this because it touches a nerve for me. MAny of the senior staff are paid in the 90″s and with summer or other gigs make a very comfortable living with a SWEET retirement package, if you can last that long. From my end I have always advocated that teaching should pay more – I would argue it is one of the most precious things in our society that we take for granted. Two of the last administrators I worked with (asst Sup / curriculum director) convinced their kids NOT to go into education for a variety of things – pay was not one of those. Bureaucracy, location, support, student behavior and career burnout were higher up on their lists. THe MOST COMMON reason teachers DON’T leave and stay tooooooo long is that they feel once they have tenure they cannot make the same money, with the same benefits, the same “perks” of work year anywhere else and so they stay. THis is not my observation but that of the HR Director who’s job it is to manage this aspect.
Should also mention that yes, there are too few applicants already. Most of the teachers I know are in it because they love teaching, they love helping people grow – it is what keeps them coming back everyday. To align with why I responded the way I did, the problem comes in part from poor leadership in many schools, no principal support, rabid teacher union about work to rule, not helping out after school cause the district’s not “working with the union during negotiations” etc etc etc. This is a vicious circle ( like everything else) in that those who are in the field, are training those who are just entering – when those in the field are jaded, they pass that on. When they are not jaded, they pass that on and new teachers try to find the sweet spot between the old curmudgeon and the dedicated pro. It’s a little by little weakening of the school fabric that has slowly eroded to the problems we see today. Couple that with Special Education, which is not fully funded so districts are spending more of their “regulars” education funding on students with Special Needs. Feds require this. BEFORE you go off on me for this understand that I am a huge SPED ( Special Education)advocate and have worked many angles to help get this sorted out in the district sin which I have been employed.
Most of this is accurate BUCKY:
I think most thought their wages would increase at a clip similar to the cost of living. Most also didn’t ever imagine a world where they’re simultaneously teaching 15 kids in a classroom, 10 online at home, essentially doing 2 jobs at once for going on 2 full years with fewer supports and more legislative paperwork BS than ever. The fact still remains that regardless of reason, people are leaving the teaching profession or “quitting their job” as the thread is about at a record clip without anyone to replace them. Even if Covid was solved tomorrow or everyone agreed to ignore it in all facets of society, schools would be screwed moving forward for staffing.
Generally speaking teachers see between 1.-2% raised per year. That is the average. And yes, they knew that going in but still want to teach. Example – “you bought a house by Lake Nokomis and are now pissed about the airplane noise” Really, you knew that going in. Teachers, you knew the pay when you started college, if it was about pay go somewhere else. You can get online, right now, and see what a district’s starting salary is, add in your Master’s or plus 20 credits and see EXACTLY where you will be in 25 years by plotting the the wage scale and a 2 % increase. The argument over money is a non-starter for me. Hence my earlier statement, “they should be paid more – nothing more important than good teachers as far as I’m converged. I was merely adding MY OPINION/EXPERIENCE as to why I think many are leaving. You are going to see larger numbers going to home school and private than ever before – already happening. Summer’s off?! THat’s the smallest portion of the most senior staff or those who have spouses that make more than enough.
MANY TEACHERS love their jobs, are great at their jobs and god bless them. I responded to an earlier part of the post referencing difficulty with discipline and support from home and, unfortunately, got sidetracked with my own experiences/biases. GOD BLESS your kids, grandkids, spouses for being in Education.
