There are more than 55,000 fewer educators in the workplace post-pandemic, and the number of vacant spots is ever-increasing. The demand for teachers is sprawled out across America based on region, but why is this?
One of the main reasons for this shortage may be underpayment. According to Marketplace, a public media outlet, “Public school teachers have been underpaid since public education started in the United States in the late 1800s. That’s when women began to be recruited for these jobs.” Underpayment is not new, especially for educators. Still, the pay has dropped even lower in recent years, resulting in 42% of teachers leaving according to McKinsey research, and 66% of teachers claiming they are underpaid. Most teachers say the main cause of this decline in educators is underpayment. Adam Howard, an English teacher at Belleville High School in response to what may be the key cause, states, “Educators need higher pay from the government.”
Although underpayment plays an immense role in this issue, environment contributes just as much. The amount of stress that educators face on a daily basis has not waned, especially with the increase in expectations that educators all over the nation carry on their backs. According to Schools That Lead, burnout is one of the main causes. A shift in society with the rise of social media has created an apathetic view for children on school, the benefits of free education are constantly overlooked.
Sarah Lapp, another teacher at Belleville High says, “The indifference to being in school makes it difficult to try to teach.”
Student apathy may be one of the contributors to the education crisis, but the reason behind it may be the culprit rather than the students themselves. Student apathy comes from several factors, social media being most recognizable with its addictive and influential nature. Another stress environmentally that teachers face is violence, whether it be among classmates or threats outside of the school, like shootings which have increased in recent years. Around 57% of teachers have created plans to leave because of violence according to Education Week. Lack of parental involvement is also a pressing problem, Pew Research shows that 78% of teachers express that parents do not do enough to hold students accountable for behavioral issues. Violent and apathetic environments along with the lack of parental support all develop unrealistic expectations for teachers, resulting in an increased desire to leave across the nation.
