1. A living wage and competitive health care.

Since so few people are willing to teach under the current conditions, every state in the US is currently experiencing a teacher shortage. States are responding to these shortages not by improving conditions for teachers but often by lowering the qualifications to become a teacher. I don’t know how I can say this any more clearly: We will no longer have talented teachers if we do not take steps to make teaching an attractive profession. Period.

2. Smaller class sizes. 

In addition to challenges with discipline, behavior, and building relationships, large classes force teachers to deliver less effective instruction. A student in a class of 35 will not receive the same quality of education as a student in a class of 20. However, it’s important to know that smaller class sizes cannot be a solution in itself. If we don’t take steps to make teaching an attractive profession, the educators coming in to teach those small classes won’t have the experience they need.

3. Shared accountability with parents and students.

In the past several decades, what used to be a shared accountability between teachers, parents, and students has now shifted—largely thanks to education reform based on the whims of legislators instead of actual research—to an expectation that the teacher alone should deliver results. Borrowing wording from professor Jason Read, teachers have become “the solution, scapegoat, and sacrificial lamb rolled into one.”

I’m not suggesting we head back to a time when teachers were the unquestionable authority. I’m saying that we can’t do this alone. We need parents to support us in and out of the classroom by following up with homework, discipline, and in modeling—especially in their conversations at home about school and teachers—that education matters.

4. Support and respect from the public. 

There’s an old proverb I teach to my students every year: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” In the same way, we will only fix the problems in education if people decide to do what’s right for education, even if:

• They no longer have (or never had) kids in public schools.
• They feel they aren’t connected to education (they are, but that’s another article).
• For some reason they harbor a bizarre, decades-long resentment of teachers and troll Facebook posts about education with their misspelled outrage.

5. Lawmakers who treat education as seriously as security.

Because in so many ways, education IS security. A country that cannot think is just as dangerous as a country that cannot defend itself.

6. For people in education reform to actually listen to teachers.

Longer recess. More arts education. Play-based learning. All of these are better for kids and their academic and developmental growth. We know this from research. And yet those in positions of power continue to impose limits on them or cut them completely.

7. Highly qualified administrators.

A school is only as good as its leadership. I once transferred to a school in a new district that was pretty much identical to the school I was leaving—Title I middle school, identical population breakdowns, similar facilities and resources—but the experience was like night and day. What was the difference? The leaders in my new school were really, really good at their jobs. We have to demand that our administrators have more than two years of experience teaching(!) and a state license.

8. School facilities that reflect that the people within them actually matter. 

School buildings are often outdated and full of hazards, including but not limited to: black mold, broken windows, entrances left unsecured, cracked tile and flooring, missing ceiling tiles, broken hand rails on stairs, classrooms designed for 20–25 students that house 35, plants growing out of the gutters on the roof, leaks bursting from paint bubbles in ceilings, etc. Note: This is a short, incomplete list.

Read: “Why Are Teachers and Kids Working in Buildings That Are Falling Apart?”

9. Counselors.

Mental health is a topic that’s been in the news a lot in the past couple of years, particularly as it relates to school shootings. But very few public schools have enough counselors to meet their students’ needs. In fact, the average ratio of counselors to students in schools is 1 to 471 (the recommended ratio is 1 to 250), and many states don’t even require that schools hire mental health professionals. The lack of access is even worse in high schools, where counselors have the added expectation of connecting students with college opportunities.

We’ve known that education has been in trouble for years, but the solution is simple: Listen to teachers. Listen to research. Elect people who do so.

Reference: https://www.weareteachers.com/what-teachers-need/?fbclid=IwAR1bGeI2nOigRRj-t5uLPl3FQQRJVRhM7cRwryfnOX2D1iwY2i-c9bAs7xw

We can never choose ONE favorite student. But there are always those students that leave a deeper impression. Whether we butted heads or recognized their indomitable spirits, some students are just unforgettable.

The student who came around.

I had a student that I butted heads with every single day. She was so capable but fought me on everything. I never gave up on her and continued to encourage her, even with her fighting me every step of the way. Her last day of high school, she came to my room and hugged me, thanking me for pushing her and never giving up. Pretty sure I cried. —Cassie T.

The “bad” kid who just wanted someone to love him.

My second year of teaching, I had a little one who had been held back. He came from a rough family and had a reputation for being the “bad” kid. But, he was so, so sweet. He just wanted someone to love him. I was pregnant with my first, and one day he wrapped his arms around me and placed his chin on my belly. He said, “I wish I was that baby in your belly so you could be my mama.” I think about him all the time. —Rebecca W.

A student who fought the odds.

He was a seventh grader. This boy took care of his siblings, tried so hard to keep up with school work, and was struggling not to get pulled into gang life. He brought a BB gun to school to return it to a friend and was expelled. His parents either couldn’t or wouldn’t go to court with him, so he wasn’t let back into school. I moved away right after and hadn’t heard what happened to him. I thought the worst until he found me on Facebook to tell me that he got his GED, went to college, and is now a youth pastor with a family. —Mandy W.

The student who proved me right.

My first year teaching, I was blessed to have a girl with Down syndrome. She had an aide who I became very close to (and we’ve remained friends since), and I was told by my principal at the time that “she’ll never be able to read, so focus on the rest of your first graders.” Challenge accepted! As soon as she was able to read a book on her own, I proudly walked down with her in tow, to his office so he could hear her read. I will NEVER forget her, and I keep in contact with her family to this day. She’s doing GREAT! —Amanda L.

May he rest in peace.

I had a student who struggled with school and home life after coming out. He was the most loving kid with the greatest smile. I was so incredibly proud to watch him cross the stage at graduation. He wanted to go into education and would have been absolutely a gift to those who worked with him. He passed away due to an overdose not too long after. If only he know just how loved he was by the staff and our community.—Alexia S.

A strong bond was formed.

I had a seventh grader wise beyond her years. She and I would share glances when something stupid was happening in class. She would dye her hair all sorts of colors. We had our own book club. She would bring me song lyrics that meant something to her. When she went to eighth grade, she would come by my first period every Monday to share memes she saved just for me thought the previous week. When she couldn’t come, I missed her. —Shanna A.

A student who inspired me.

He had brain cancer (diagnosed in kindergarten, I had him in the 6th grade). Regardless of all the hardships he’d faced, he was always positive and kind to others. We developed a really close bond during that year together. Since then, his cancer came back, but he’s still fighting with everything he’s got, and he’s a huge inspiration to me and our school community. We’ve renamed an award at our school after him, and I’ve got a tattoo in honor of him (a line from a speech he gave to his classmates, along with the date of his first day in my class, and my first official day as a teacher) on my left forearm, so I can’t forget him even if I wanted to! This year, he’s passed his driver’s test, and he’s graduating from high school! I’m inspired by his spirit and strength every single day. —Christopher B.

The student who won me over.

A student really got on my nerves at the beginning of the first semester because of his behavior. Now, he comes by every morning and sometimes during transitions to talk to me about his day, and I actually look forward to his visits. —DeAndre F.

The student who went from hating me to standing up for me.

I had a kid who hated me and would push my limits. I finally pulled him aside. Instead of getting on him for his behavior, I asked what he needed in order to be successful. I told him what I needed. We agreed to make an effort. He told me no one had ever asked him. They always just labeled him as the bad kid. I said, I don’t see that in you. I believe in you and want to have a good semester with you. Our relationship blossomed from there. One of the units we did was reading strategies through watching “Dead Poets Society.” If you have seen the movie, you’ll understand how impactful his actions were. On my last day, he stood up on his desk and said, “O’ Captain, my Captain.” One by one, each kid stood up and did the same. He had secretly been planning this with the class for weeks. I will never forget him or that moment. —Amber B.

There’s always that one.

With all of its ups and downs, tough days and inspiring moments, there’ll always be those students teachers will never forget.

Reference: https://www.weareteachers.com/students-teachers-never-forget/?fbclid=IwAR0pN11w0tQJlJRo0Y3mvu3diJl90HHJ1_T8H9rQ66Mkue2V-r4k_OJTeFI

1. 80% of educators indicate that burnout is a serious problem.

Yep, there’s no doubt about it. After three years of pandemic teaching, overwhelming workloads, and large class sizes, we’re burned out. Many of us work into the night and on weekends just so we don’t fall behind. With 80% of teachers saying burnout is a serious problem, we need to seriously reevaluate teacher workload, schedules, and pay.

2. 55% of educators now indicate that they are ready to leave the profession earlier than planned.

Why are so many teachers who previously considered themselves career educators leaving? It could be the lack of support, the constant work, and struggle with student behavior issues. When schools and districts are losing educators, they need to be reflective in order to make a change and retain the people who will make an impact on their students.

3. 80% of educators say that taking on more work due to unfilled job openings within their district is a serious problem.

Staff shortages are a problem. Teachers aren’t the only ones leaving education. Custodians, paraprofessionals, and cafeteria workers are also leaving schools. Teachers are picking up the slack in trying to make up for these lost staff members. Even instructional coaches are having to fill in for teachers because there is also a substitute teacher shortage. Educators often aren’t able to do the job they’ve been hired to do.

4. 78% of educators say that low pay is a serious issue for teachers.

Can we pay teachers more? It’s no secret that teachers aren’t paid well. What’s interesting about teachers’ salaries, however, is that they vary across the country. And there are even some instances where teachers make less in certain states, but they’re required to do more after contract hours. We need uniformity around teacher salaries across the country, and we also need to value teachers’ time. Let’s give our teachers a wage that they can actually live on comfortably.

5. 76% of educators feel student behavioral issues are a serious problem.

We’ve always dealt with student behavior issues, but many teachers feel behavior issues are on the rise. What we need to alleviate this burden is support from administrators. School and district administrators should make every effort to make sure classrooms are balanced and that support is offered for challenging behaviors. It’s hard to teach when you’re trying to manage misbehaviors all day long.

6. 76% of educators feel that lack of respect from parents and the public is a serious problem.

There is a lack of respect. How many times have teachers heard, “Oh wow! You get summers off!”? What most people don’t know is that teachers work over the summer to make up for their inadequate salaries. Teachers also have to handle mistrust from parents and the public. Books are being banned, lessons are being censored, and curriculum is being dictated by school boards all because the public doesn’t trust teachers to make decisions about them on their own. Let’s not forget to mention the overwhelming amount of helicopter parents that infiltrate our schools thinking that they know more about education than educators. When teachers are being restricted on so many levels and autonomy becomes obsolete, it’s no wonder so many are leaving the profession. If we listen to our teachers’ voices and rely on their experiences, our schools will be a much more positive and inviting place.

7. 92% of educators support hiring more support staff.

We need more support. Not just administrators, but with paraprofessionals, playground aides, and other adults around campus. Support staff doesn’t only support the teachers, they also support the students. School districts should take a look at their funding and use allocated funds to get support from qualified individuals—not more computer programs.

8. 84% of educators support hiring more counselors and school psychologists.

Most educators support hiring more counselors and school psychologists. Some school districts have laid off counselors during a time when more counselors are needed. Not only do students need more support, but teachers also need the help of counselors to support their students. Hiring more counselors and school psychologists can help to create a more positive school culture. Counselors can visit classrooms, teach lessons about social-emotional awareness, and be one more trusted adult for students to rely on.

9. 94% of educators want more student health and behavioral support.

Since we’re seeing so many more challenging student behaviors, it’s evident that students need more health and behavioral support. Students need explicit instruction in how to handle emotions, how to deal with problems in social situations, and so much more. In today’s world, students are coming to school not only to learn academics, but also how to handle their emotions. Supporting students in these areas can help teachers have more productive learning time in their classrooms.

10. 87% of educators support less standardized testing.

It’s understood that state testing is a federal mandate, but why do districts add more unnecessary testing to teachers’ already jam-packed schedules? If the district-mandated testing isn’t helping to inform instruction, then it has to go. We’d be much better off having more time to implement instructional strategies than giving a test just for the sake of giving a test.

11. Only 10% of educators would strongly recommend the profession to a young adult.

Teachers are so unhappy that they wouldn’t recommend teaching as a profession. How can we get others into a profession if those currently teaching are telling them to stay away? Teachers are warning others that teaching is not an easy profession and that it’s not for everyone. Twenty-two percent of teachers surveyed said another reason they’d warn others to stay away is because the compensation and benefits are not sufficient.

12. Only 30% of teachers are satisfied with their current position.

Adapting instruction due to the pandemic, while also keeping up with lesson planning, grading, student behaviors, and professional development, has left teachers less satisfied with their positions. Although teachers still enjoy working with children and sharing their knowledge, they’re not happy about the stress and lack of respect the profession is subject to.

13. 65% of educators agree the bureaucracy interferes with teaching.

Administration and boards of education are out of touch with what actually happens in a classroom. They don’t know how to teach or how students learn. Teachers feel the enjoyment of learning has been sucked out of education with the need to push curriculum.

14. 78% of teachers feel symptoms of stress and depression.

Teachers have been dealing with job-related stress due to instructional changes, teaching remotely, and supporting students’ social and emotional learning. The top sources of teacher stress were related to teaching in person and remotely at the same time during the pandemic. Having more structure and guidance from the administrative level could have helped to alleviate this stress.

Reference: https://www.weareteachers.com/teacher-shortage-statistics/?fbclid=IwAR0AKOiEzSgx09yt1KfwumsvWGCyvbGvZkZgC3MxqbO5ZvKt94AvgZ7aufc