Why is there a teacher shortage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
PP here. Where I subbed and student taught they NEVER interviewed subs or aides. I only saw them hire people who were related to staff or who had over five years classroom teaching experience. But I only saw like three vacancies because people get tenure and don’t leave.

Where I went to school I’ve never seen a teacher opening since I graduated about three years ago. I’m 30 and my first and fourth grade teachers are still teaching at the same schools. My other elementary teachers were pretty old when I had them so I assume they retired within ten years after I had them. But I’ve only really been exposed to desirable places to teach I guess... so I never knew how bad it could be until getting my own classroom and I couldn’t get that in the areas I live in.

Out of my last class in grad school (that went along with student teaching) most are now working office jobs because they couldn’t get hired to teach full time bc MA attracts teachers (not a perfect place to teach, but strong unions help with pay) and didn’t want to move (or were married and really couldn’t uproot their family). I took the leap and moved to try teaching and while I worked with many kind parents, I come on here and cringe at how disrespectful the DMV area seems to be towards teachers who are like killing themselves to serve your children... At least I can say I tried teaching somewhere and finally tried it in my home state (currently) and it’s not for me. I didn’t expect to dislike it since I enjoyed subbing and student teaching, but it’s too much stress for the pay. I can’t go back to subbing because of the even more horrible pay.

That doesn't sound like a teacher shortage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure we all know the answer to this.

Low pay + long hours + low respect =/= high demand

+ Impossible demands from administration

Everything here, plus read a few posts on DCUM. That's just what is posted here. Why anyone would want to put up with all of this garbage on the off chance that you influence a kid or two is beyond me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure we all know the answer to this.

Low pay + long hours + low respect =/= high demand

+ Impossible demands from administration

Everything here, plus read a few posts on DCUM. That's just what is posted here. Why anyone would want to put up with all of this garbage on the off chance that you influence a kid or two is beyond me.

It's not even an off chance if you continue to Insist on literally phoning in your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure we all know the answer to this.

Low pay + long hours + low respect =/= high demand

+ Impossible demands from administration

Everything here, plus read a few posts on DCUM. That's just what is posted here. Why anyone would want to put up with all of this garbage on the off chance that you influence a kid or two is beyond me.

It's not even an off chance if you continue to Insist on literally phoning in your job.

Me? Where did you get the idea that I'm a teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure we all know the answer to this.

Low pay + long hours + low respect =/= high demand

+ Impossible demands from administration

Everything here, plus read a few posts on DCUM. That's just what is posted here. Why anyone would want to put up with all of this garbage on the off chance that you influence a kid or two is beyond me.

It's not even an off chance if you continue to Insist on literally phoning in your job.

Because people on these pages are pro-level at jumping to conclusions with no facts, what-so-ever.

Me? Where did you get the idea that I'm a teacher?

[Anonymous]

I am worried for the future of education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure we all know the answer to this.

Low pay + long hours + low respect =/= high demand

+ Impossible demands from administration

Everything here, plus read a few posts on DCUM. That's just what is posted here. Why anyone would want to put up with all of this garbage on the off chance that you influence a kid or two is beyond me.

It's not even an off chance if you continue to Insist on literally phoning in your job.

You realize many jobs are work at home now and its time to get in a more modern society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure we all know the answer to this.

Low pay + long hours + low respect =/= high demand

+ Impossible demands from administration

Everything here, plus read a few posts on DCUM. That's just what is posted here. Why anyone would want to put up with all of this garbage on the off chance that you influence a kid or two is beyond me.

It's not even an off chance if you continue to Insist on literally phoning in your job.

You realize many jobs are work at home now and its time to get in a more modern society.

You don't actually believe DL is the "modern" form of education, do you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because teachers are busting their ass to teach your little snowflakes, and parents do nothing but complain. Administration kowtows to central office, and doesn't support teachers. Some kids are disruptive, and no there's no consequences allowed, others are hungry, and living in not great situations.

Low pay with benefits that keep getting hacked away.

Sounds fun right? Everyone complaining that it's such a great job, why don't you do it?

If you're struggling that much, perhaps it's time to find a new job.

Yup. Another teacher leaves! No teacher shortage here!

[Anonymous]

My mom was a teacher and told me not to go into the profession. I do work in a school but more in a specialty position. That is definitely the route to go if you are interested in education. I get treated (a little but) better then teachers and have more options in terms of outside work. That being said, I love working with the kids but I hate all the BS that comes with being in a school system. I can't wait to retire early. I do anticipate a severe shortage in education especially after people see how teachers (who by and far are made up of women) were treated. In MOCO you can make a decent salary after 15 years or so in the profession but there is so little opportunities to really increase your salary/position. Salaries will most likely be frozen for awhile due to a recession and it takes longer to get into the pension system. If the pension system gets changed any more then I would tell my child to avoid the school system completely. If I worked in a different state like Arizona, the pay is so low it's just not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Is there a really a teaching shortage? Not really.


I am a licensed teacher, who got screwed by one district, and can't find a job in education. I work for a nonprofit. In my state, there are over 20,000 people not teaching.

Why?

1. Oklahoma decided to bring in people who are emergency licensed to teach. This means principals can bring in their best friends,
who can't find jobs in their respective fields to teach.
2. Administrators are idiots, and run their schools worse than the government is running the county.
3. Homeschooling: Many ex-teachers are homeschooling.
4. Young adults study content, i.e. chemistry, biology, history, rather than secondary education.

[Anonymous]

There is a teacher shortage if school systems cannot fill positions. It doesn't matter how many people are licensed or not. If positions are open and they are not getting filled, then there is a shortage.

[Anonymous]

It is more a lack of talent and ability in the teaching profession rather than a lack of people with teaching credentials. Also, an inability to pay for the skill set and ability of the teacher is a problem.

I tried to get teaching jobs in 2010 and could not in this area. I was told I was overqualified because I have a content area BS degree and a master's in teaching, but under-qualified to teach college because I did not have a MS in the content area in which my BS was awarded. I would pursue this degree as well, but I would have to give up a flexible job that pays better than my first teaching job in order to do this. It hasn't been worth it economically for me to give my current placement up to go back for a second master's. Back then, I left the state to teach until my DH was promoted.

The teachers that I do see employed in my DC's elite privates do not have bachelor's degrees in the content area as I do or comparable degrees. There is one school in DC that hires them, but only without master's in education degrees.

I occasionally see part-time placements seeking a candidate with my background but am not interested in part time teaching responsibilities. They are not truly part time expectations but the pay is poor and there are no benefits.

[Anonymous]

I am making my exit move out of teaching as I type. I get paid decently and have everything I want as I also invest in real estate and stocks. But, this year is just too much for me. Goodbye forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/america-has-a-teacher-shortage-and-a-new-study-says-its-getting-worse/2016/09/14/d5de1cee-79e8-11e6-beac-57a4a412e93a_story.html


Washington Post article claims there's been a dramatic decrease in new teachers entering the profession:

"Enrollment in teacher-preparation programs dropped from 691,000 in 2009 to 451,000 in 2014, a 35 percent decline, according to the study, “A Coming Crisis in Teaching? Teacher Supply, Demand and Shortages in the U.S.”"

It also claims nearly 2/3 of teachers leave before retirement age.

If teaching is supposed to be such a cushy job, "summers off, home by 3", and so well paid with great benefits ... why aren't people rushing to become teachers?

Women have more choices now and donMt have to remain in abusive relationships whether they are romantic or professional.