Let's say everyone here is right: teaching has perks that outweigh the negatives, and if teachers are complaining it's just because they don't know what it's like in other jobs. Even if that's so, the shortage was grossly apparent in 2019 (https://www.epi.org/publication/the-teacher-shortage-is-real-large-and-growing-and-worse-than-we-thought-the-first-report-in-the-perfect-storm-in-the-teacher-labor-market-series/) and has only gotten worse.
So you say, "teachers shouldn't be complaining and they shouldn't be quitting because the job isn't that bad." But the reality is, they are. Experienced teachers are quitting, new teachers are quitting, and enrollment in teacher education programs is way down (https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-teacher-preparation-enrollment-looks-like-in-charts/2023/08#:~:text=Teacher%2Dprep%20enrollment%20over%20the%20past%20decade&text=From%202009%2D10%20through%202014,of%20the%20pandemic%2C%20Fuller%20said.). Saying it shouldn't be happening doesn't make it not happen. |
… says the person who hasn’t ever taught. I find it fascinating when ignorant posters chime in. Clearly the exodus out of the profession means nothing to you. If it’s so easy, tell me why you aren’t signing up. I’d love to hear. |
It’s not a mass exodus, just a couple percent higher per year than before the pandemic. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/3/6/23624340/teacher-turnover-leaving-the-profession-quitting-higher-rate?_amp=true Given that more than 85% of teachers aren’t leaving every year, maybe this is just a natural weeding out of whingers who can’t hack it? |
School based SLP's are leaving too. MCPS is now using virtual help from out of state to fill the positions. |
Here's why I am suspicious of all the people who tell me that every job is harder than teaching.
DCUM is full of people whining about how hard their kids are. How they shouldn't have to do things like visit their own parents, because traveling with kids is sooooo hard. Parenting is the hardest thing you've ever done. If parenting NT typical kids is the hardest thing you've ever done. Then your job must be easier than teaching. So, at least those people have an incredibly easy job! |
DP. I'm not going to say that teaching isn't hard but the current hard parts are not related to teaching, they're related to lack of time, unsupportive administration and students/parents. The second career poster that everyone is gleefully attacking has teaching experience already, so she will only have to learn to cope with the other hard parts of the job. Right? Carry on. Y'all seem to be having a great time attacking a poster who is planning on helping out with the teacher shortage. |
I watched two teachers at my school quit already and it’s only September. I’ve had to walk a crying teacher into the building last week, and I suspect she’ll be the 3rd to quit. My department is made up of primarily new teachers, and I doubt half will be back. But sure, all-knowing DCUM, keep ignoring what those of us with actual experience are telling you. With the exception of the lawyer (who somehow thinks this will be easy), I don’t see anybody else joining our ranks. The challenge is out there. If we have it so good, join us. There are plenty of openings. |
Yes, I read that whole article, too. In some places, the couple of percent meant going from 12% to 16%, but in others, from 17% to 24%. I have family who just left teaching in Texas. They have high school classes with 65 or more students in them. but it’s fine, everything is fine. They have been saying that for the last four years while they consolidate more and more classes, and stop teaching others entirely. Because—as your article explains—not only is it the number of teachers leaving, it’s the fact that we aren’t replacing them as rapidly. You don’t need. 85% of the teachers to leave to cause a crisis. If you lose 15%, year after year, and cant replace them because there are far fewer new graduates, then it doesn’t take long before you have a real problem. |
I agree we need to make sure teaching is a desirable profession, both in order to attract great people into teaching and also to ensure the people teaching our kids have high job satisfaction and like their jobs. Both are very important to me. What I wish is that teachers and parents viewed each other as allies in making that happen, and in making schools great places to learn AND work. It is disheartening to see teachers saying that parents are the primary reason they are leaving the profession, or engaging in arguments about who works harder or has it tougher, parents or teachers. The truth is that most parents do not have high paying, easy, flexible jobs. They are also struggling in their own ways. When we see each other as adversaries, we all lose. |
Agreed, but I have no idea how to solve this. The problem we are facing as teachers is that parents don’t want real life (it’s real ups and downs) to happen to their children. They are trying to protect their kids from all ills, not seeing that interacting with others brings about its own stress because kids make mistakes. Parents then try to hold teachers responsible for every slight, bruise and bump that happens during childhood because childhood should be so “protected.” It isn’t really about being allies because there is no way to keep life from happening to a kid. Teaching the kids is really fun, but parents have an expectation that everything be “happy and positive” but that isn’t life. Life is about dealing with crap AND being happy and content too. So, I am looking for another job after 24 years. I’m not changing the attitude of parents, but it has definitely changed since I started teaching in 2000. I may make another 6 years, I am only 45, but I am looking to get away from parents and still work with kids (ESL maybe or interventionist). |
FCPS too |
Every teacher that I know that has changed professions hasn't regretted it. Talk to some ex-teachers, hell watch Tik Toks. The teacher of the year from Ohio some years back is now a manager at WalMart making more money and enjoys his job more. There is a teacher on Tiktok that left teaching to work at Costco and is much happier. I have friends that have left to do entry level positions and make more, have a better work/life balance.
That is at least some evidence that not all of these other jobs, or working in corporate is "harder" than teaching. My current teaching position is the sweetest their is. I work with chronically ill students in their home or virtually. I make my own schedule. If the parents need to cancel for illness or appointments I don't owe that time back. I can reschedule students if I have other obligations or meetings. I make great relationships with the families and caregivers. The only reason I think I'm adequately compensated is bc of the nature of my job. No way I could be in a building right now with all of the behaviors, extra duties, stupid observations, etc. My hat goes off to all educators----try spending a few days helping out in the buildings. The teachers and students need it. |
These are solvable problems, but because you insist on viewing parents as your adversary, you avoid solutions. WHY do some parents seek to protect their kids from any adversity? Is it because parents are selfish and stupid? No. It's because parents are under intense pressure to ensure their child succeeds, and we live in a culture that punishes people for mistakes forever. Parents are afraid. They are afraid that if their child struggles in 2nd grade, they won't have the same opportunities in 6th or 9th or college, and they'll be limited and struggle in adulthood to. Parents are also under constant pressure to prove their kids are "thriving," Also, and this one is mom-specific, parents get blamed every day in ways big and small for anything that isn't perfect in their kids' lives. It leads to guilt and anxiety. And finally, sometimes parents are right. Sometimes kids should be protected. Sometimes a kid is actually being bullied and the school needs to intervene. Sometimes that "quirky" kid actually has special needs that aren't being addressed. Sometimes a parent really does know better what their kid needs, because while you are the education expert, they know their child better. Sometimes listening to a parent could be a gift, not a burden. |
Yes, which is why it was so disappointing that so many parents bullied and shat all over teachers during the pandemic. -Parent |
I am the career changing lawyer and I would like you to review my posts and tell me where I EVER said it was EASY - you can’t, because I NEVER did. I am being attacked here after an initial warm welcome, because I had the temerity to challenge a teacher who was making proclamations about what lawyers experience in their careers - length of hours in court, time to plan their cases, and salaries. The teacher had it entirely wrong and I simply provided, without attacking, the accurate information. And since then I’ve been repeatedly and roundly attacked. Honestly I’m shocked at the nasty petty attitudes being displayed here by TEACHERS. Do you wallow with glee in anticipation of your students’ failures, too? Those of you behaving this way do not seem to me to have the right temperament to be teachers of young people nor mentors of fellow teachers. I have a lot of experience in education, not just the 22 years I spent as a student but also 10 years as an educator at university, grade school and high school levels. And one thing I do know is that some teachers are bullies. And I suspect that some of you rabidly attacking me also express your hostility to the poor kids in your classrooms. |