Addressing teacher shortages
Teacher Shortages in the United States are growing constantly. This website will dive into the causes and effects of teacher shortages and the possible solutions. It will also provide links to resources for current teachers who are struggling with teacher burnout and or the mental side of being a teacher.
What is a teacher shortage?
Teacher Shortage- When discussing teacher shortages, this website uses the following definition given by Ana Hingorani in Creighton Law Review is “an imbalance between the number of teachers demanded and the number of qualified teachers willing to offer their services under prevailing wage and conditions”(Hingorani 522).
Stories from the classroom
Read teachers' perspectives from the Independence School District in Independence, Missouri, and how teacher shortages have affected teachers or students in their lives.
"Teacher shortages place burdens on educators, often forcing them to manage larger class sizes, extra duties, and increased stress. This not only leads to teacher burnout, but also limits the individual attention and support students receive. This is very detrimental to students that need additional guidance. Large class sizes ultimately impacting learning and overall school morale."
Aspen Bobeen - Middle School Science Teacher at Pioneer Ridge Middle School.
"It has led to some districts and states lowering the qualifications for being in the classroom. My nephew is in 10th grade, and in the last two years of high school, he has had two teachers total who actually went to a teacher education program in college. The other teachers simply got their certification through other means that were allowed because of the shortage. This communicates to teachers that anyone can do their job. More is required of the experienced and prepared teachers because everyone looks to them for curriculum, materials, classroom management, strategies, etc. It is not uncommon for all of the “ bad “ kids to be placed in the experienced teacher’s class because everyone knows the new teachers do not have the training to deal with them. There is a huge amount of teachers having to cover classes during their plan periods, which is the only time provided by a school for a teacher to plan lessons, provide feedback for students, enter grades, communicate with parents ,etc. Not having a plan time on a regular basis, affects the mental health of teachers."
Ms. Demoss- A staff member in the Independence School District
"Across the United States, more and more teachers are leaving the field of education, and more college students are choosing not to enter the field. As a result, there’s an increase in teacher shortage, and the career is becoming more stressful for educators. When it comes to teacher shortage, my main concern is classroom sizes as it negatively affects teachers and students. For teachers, large classrooms are more difficult to manage and teach, and as a result, students needs are not met. In addition to larger classroom sizes, I don’t like subbing on my plan either. Obviously, teacher shortage has a negative impact on teachers and students, but I don’t think teachers should focus on the negative impacts. Unfortunately, there is a teacher shortage, but it’s still our job as educators to meet the needs of students. Instead of focusing on the negative impacts, I think the real question is, 'Why is there a shortage and what can we do to solve the problem?'"
John Bobeen- High School Math Teacher at Van Horn High School