Why is there a teacher shortage?

[Anonymous]

If I have to do one more Community Circle to "restore justice" I think I will scream. All it is doing is teaching the misbehaving child that whining and excuses are acceptable ways to restore themselves to the community. There is no reparation and there is no service. Only a child lamenting all the ways that she has been wronged and all the ways that he things the world could have treated him better.

Bullsh1t.

If you've just damaged a room and hurt another kid or teacher, you need to come back after your consequence and make amends to the community. You need to publicly apologize to the kid and class, you need to do before and after school service by cleaning classrooms, and you need to relinquish privileges like general seating at lunch until your debt to the community has been met.

Attending school is a right and a responsibility. Kids understand the right part but some of them don't understand the responsibility part. Our school systems are to blame for that. School system administrators are more worried about someone screaming about her lost rights than they are about the rest of the community that is damaged. Parents in the community need to step up. If your child's classroom time has been disrupted by a kid who put your child in danger then you need to step up and get mad about it. The school system responds to the squeaky wheel. The parents of 20 kids mad about 1 kid's disruption will make a whole lot more noise than the parents of the 1 kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach at a public middle school in the DMV. The biggest reason why I might stop teaching is that the level of physical danger has increased dramatically between now and when I first began teaching 15-20 years ago. School shootings are dramatic and scary but they aren't what scare me on a day-to-day basis. What I'm scared about every day is that the level of physical actions by students tolerated by the school system.

Last year we had students bring nunchucks, knives, and BB guns to school. The students were suspended for a few days and then allowed back into the classrooms without a word to their teachers about why they were out. I've witnessed students hitting teachers with fists, kicking them with feet and throwing books or desks at the teachers, and those students are suspended for a few days and then allowed back into the classroom. The pushing and shoving in corridors is unbelievable. We've had weeks where there have been multiple fights before the homeroom tardy bell. We had false fire alarms and lockdowns because of students causing fake incidents. We had students watching porn on their tablets and then mock the teacher who corrected them on it. We've had male students call female teachers ho's, tell them to suck their c*cks, tell the female teachers that they will be coming back to r*pe them, etc. Our custodians reported finding used condoms in a few of the student bathrooms. We had one student start a fire in a bathroom two different times.

I love my job and I know that I'm very good at it...but I won't work if I'm scared of my students AND if I think that school administrators aren't going to take my safety seriously. I'm fortunate that none of the above happened to me or in my classroom; however, last year there were probably ten days that I almost walked out the door because I was so frightened by what I heard happened in other classrooms.

I've been thinking about it a lot this summer. I'm not doing putting up with all of that again this coming year. I'll quit and go to a private school to teach or I just won't work. If I contribute to the teacher shortage then so be it. My life and my quality of life has value to me and my family. I am not going to work in a place where I am scared all the time or where I don't feel like my safety is important.

At least they are practicing safe sex

In all seriousness, yes, this is awful. I can see why you’d feel unsafe. However, this is not the normal level of dysfunctional behavior in a low SES public school. I know because I’ve taught in high FARMs schools. I’ve also taught in high SES schools. The behavior gap has not been as extreme as what you describe. And the spate of bathroom trash can fires I experienced was by a local politician’s kid at the school in a highly coveted zip code. I don’t think there’s a teacher shortage because of the prevalence of out of control students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a different state. This past year, instead of getting hundreds of resumes from qualified applicants as in previous years for general education K-5 classrooms, we got maybe 2 dozen qualified applicants (and about that many more from people who had misspelled words, emoji's or tons of exclamation points on their resumes). But in some subject areas like Spanish bilingual, sped, math, science, school counselors, and speech paths we've gotten 5 or less applications total, most of those not qualified. Our Spanish bilingual classes in particular are often seeing zero applications. And we are a highly desirable district. The major city near us is seeing very few applicants, even for the "good" schools. Something has shifted in the past few years, at least where I'm at. My principal colleagues and I are very worried.

Not qualified = no degree, appears illiterate, no experience? Curious who is applying and how they’re not qualified.

[Anonymous]

I disagree PP. The bad behavior of students coupled with tolerance of the bad behavior by school officials and the school system are two of the primary reasons that seasoned teachers leave our NoVa school system. Some of them leave the profession but most of them are only leaving our school system, which acerbates the teacher shortage for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree PP. The bad behavior of students coupled with tolerance of the bad behavior by school officials and the school system are two of the primary reasons that seasoned teachers leave our NoVa school system. Some of them leave the profession but most of them are only leaving our school system, which acerbates the teacher shortage for us.

Whoops! I was responding to 8:27, not 8:49. Bad timing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a different state. This past year, instead of getting hundreds of resumes from qualified applicants as in previous years for general education K-5 classrooms, we got maybe 2 dozen qualified applicants (and about that many more from people who had misspelled words, emoji's or tons of exclamation points on their resumes). But in some subject areas like Spanish bilingual, sped, math, science, school counselors, and speech paths we've gotten 5 or less applications total, most of those not qualified. Our Spanish bilingual classes in particular are often seeing zero applications. And we are a highly desirable district. The major city near us is seeing very few applicants, even for the "good" schools. Something has shifted in the past few years, at least where I'm at. My principal colleagues and I are very worried.

Not qualified = no degree, appears illiterate, no experience? Curious who is applying and how they’re not qualified.

A person can be qualified on paper (degree, credentials) but not qualified for the job when you give the person a few content- and grade-level questions to answer and the person cannot answer them! The first time it happened they thought it was because the person was nervous. Now they give the questions all the time for all positions. I have heard that 5 out of 7 people either can't answer the questions or struggle. They're not even asking them to explain their strategy for teaching the concept. They just want the person to answer the question!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I would say often the workload is heavier in elementary than secondary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I would say often the workload is heavier in elementary than secondary.

I agree with this. There are all the extra duties that eat into planning time: walking the children to and from classes or lunch, lunchroom monitoring, bus and car line, things like that. They are necessary activities but they contribute to much less planning time. To some extent the same is true in middle school where a lot of the same activities (not bus or car line) occur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I’ve taught all 3 levels and elementary was by far the biggest workload.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I’ve taught all 3 levels and elementary was by far the biggest workload.

So you weren't a high school English teacher.

I have friends in elementary. They do prattle a lot about lunch duty and bus duty, etc, but they do not spend much time grading or preparing outside of school. One of my good friends teaches second grade, and I've seen her making bulletin board charts and decorations while we watched a movie, but that's pretty much it. She is not spending hours and hours of time grading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I would say often the workload is heavier in elementary than secondary.

I agree with this. There are all the extra duties that eat into planning time: walking the children to and from classes or lunch, lunchroom monitoring, bus and car line, things like that. They are necessary activities but they contribute to much less planning time. To some extent the same is true in middle school where a lot of the same activities (not bus or car line) occur.

High school teachers I know save their plans from year to year and pretty much just teach the same thing in the same way every year almost day by day. They only have a couple of preps and have corresponding planning time. Elementary teachers are planning for 4-5 subjects with one planning period. Within those subjects they are planning for small reading groups, math groups, etc. based on student needs at that time. In my district the elementary teacher has to complete thousands of progress report grades at the end of each quarter while the secondary teachers have percentage based grading that is averaged throughout he quarter,

[Anonymous]

Why is there a teacher shortage?

Way back, women became teachers because those jobs were available to them. They could take off a few years and go back to work when kids went to school. Women were nurses, teachers, or secretaries.

Now, the world of work is open. Women can pursue many other options for work. Options that pay them better and allow them to go to lunch when they wish.

Many jobs today give much more leave than they used to do--so the summer vacation for teachers is no longer a draw.

Many jobs today allow you to work from home at least one day a week--sometimes a lot more.

Parents no longer respect teachers. Just read this forum. It's almost always the teacher's fault in the minds of DCUM posters. In the past, parents gave teachers the benefit of the doubt. If the teacher stood Johnny against the fence for five minutes at recess, the parent doubled down on Johnny--not the teacher. Now, the teacher has almost no way to discipline Johnny. It's her fault he got in trouble. Or, she has to fill out a form and go through all sorts of hoops--when all Johnny needed was a little time out.

There's lots more. But, I don't have time right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I’ve taught all 3 levels and elementary was by far the biggest workload.

So you weren't a high school English teacher.

I have friends in elementary. They do prattle a lot about lunch duty and bus duty, etc, but they do not spend much time grading or preparing outside of school. One of my good friends teaches second grade, and I've seen her making bulletin board charts and decorations while we watched a movie, but that's pretty much it. She is not spending hours and hours of time grading.

Prattle on about lunch duty and bus duty, etc??? Come on, this isn't about whose dick is bigger. I teach kindergarten and I put in 60 hours a week. You as an English teacher might work more hours because yes, you absolutely have a shit ton of work to do. So do we. And I'm not talking about bulletin boards of decorations. Stop tearing down other teachers. It isn't a good look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I would say often the workload is heavier in elementary than secondary.

I agree with this. There are all the extra duties that eat into planning time: walking the children to and from classes or lunch, lunchroom monitoring, bus and car line, things like that. They are necessary activities but they contribute to much less planning time. To some extent the same is true in middle school where a lot of the same activities (not bus or car line) occur.

High school teachers I know save their plans from year to year and pretty much just teach the same thing in the same way every year almost day by day. They only have a couple of preps and have corresponding planning time. Elementary teachers are planning for 4-5 subjects with one planning period. Within those subjects they are planning for small reading groups, math groups, etc. based on student needs at that time. In my district the elementary teacher has to complete thousands of progress report grades at the end of each quarter while the secondary teachers have percentage based grading that is averaged throughout he quarter,

So, public school, right?

If I did that, I would not have a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two teacher household here, both elementary. Other than perhaps taking a class every few years I can’t say either one of us do anything work related during the summer.

Yes, but that is because you are a. elementary and b. at a public school. And there's nothing wrong with that, but even teachers need to realize that we aren't all doing the same type of work. I spend many more hours each week doing schoolwork outside of class than my elementary/public school friends. To be fair, I could not handle being around little kids for so many hours, so I'm not saying that my job is harder. However, implying that we all do the same thing is doing us all a disservice.

So are you at a private HS?

Yes. I am sure public school teachers of my subject spend similar amounts of time working out of school, though.

People need to understand that workload is different between elementary and secondary, and even within subjects.

I’ve taught all 3 levels and elementary was by far the biggest workload.

So you weren't a high school English teacher.

I have friends in elementary. They do prattle a lot about lunch duty and bus duty, etc, but they do not spend much time grading or preparing outside of school. One of my good friends teaches second grade, and I've seen her making bulletin board charts and decorations while we watched a movie, but that's pretty much it. She is not spending hours and hours of time grading.

Prattle on about lunch duty and bus duty, etc??? Come on, this isn't about whose dick is bigger. I teach kindergarten and I put in 60 hours a week. You as an English teacher might work more hours because yes, you absolutely have a shit ton of work to do. So do we. And I'm not talking about bulletin boards of decorations. Stop tearing down other teachers. It isn't a good look.

+1 this isn’t the suffering olympics. Both ES and secondary school teachers work 1/3 or more of their hours off the clock and, thus, uncompensated. Signed, a secondary school teacher.