A teacher and substitute teacher shortage continues to hinder schools across the country, and no relief appears to be on the way.
Education is a fundamental necessity in our modern world – a world that has a soaring demand for teachers but a working situation that leaves many feeling left out in the cold. The wages educators make currently, paired with price of their degree, doesn’t add up said Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association.
“We look at how many people are going into education, college and teaching college, across the state, and it has decreased by 50% percent in the last 10 years,” Benson said.
Benson added that 35% of those who do become teachers leave after the first 5 years in pursuit of higher paying jobs. The economics and lack of resources for teachers is not the only problem. Many teachers said they do not feel valued by the community and the government for the work they do. Sylvia Angel, a Benson High School teacher, echoed these feelings and shared the sentiment she feels from the public.
“It is really hard to hear the news, and people say’ teachers just don’t want to work,'” she said. “No, I want to work. I don’t want to die.”
In addition to the negative sentiment, teachers are being burdened by non-educational issues. In a national survey conducted by Communities In Schools, 54% of teachers have used their own money to help feed students. Additionally, the survey found that 20% said they were spending time helping students with issues they face at home. Without proper investing in our schools now, Benson said issues will arise in the community later.
“Why are we providing a pipeline to prison and not providing the students what they need?” said Benson.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, it is expected that more teachers will either quit or retire.
