Anyone who works in a public school knows that the teaching profession is in crisis. Burnouts are high, teachers are leaving their jobs at record rates, and the pipeline of new teachers is getting smaller. Below, we’ve collected statistics for the 14 most worrying teacher deficits of 2022, proving that our education needs to be made more sustainable, desirable.
1. 80% of educators point out that burnout is a serious problem.
Yes, there is no doubt about it. After three years of epidemic education, irresistible work pressure, and large class size, we have burned. Many of us work nights and weekends so that we do not fall behind. 80% of teachers say that burnout is a serious problem, we need to re-evaluate the importance of teacher’s work pressure, schedule and salary.
Source: NEA
2. 55% of educators now indicate that they are ready to leave the profession before planning.
Why are there so many teachers who used to consider themselves as educators? This can be due to lack of support, endless work, and struggle with student behavior problems. When schools and districts are losing teachers, they need to be reflected in order to change and retain people who will influence their students.
Source: NEA
3. 80% of educators say taking on more work is a serious problem because of the incomplete job openings in their district.
Personnel crisis is a problem. Teachers are not the only ones who leave education. Custodian, paraprofessional and cafeteria staff are also dropping out of school. Teachers are picking up the slack in trying to make up for these lost staff members. Even instructional instructors have to recruit teachers because there is a shortage of alternative teachers. Teachers are often unable to do the work they are assigned to do.
Source: NEA
4. 78% of educators say low pay is a serious problem for teachers.
Can we pay teachers more? It is no secret that teachers are not well paid. The interesting thing about teachers’ salaries is that they vary across the country. And there are instances where teachers earn less in certain states, but have to do more after their contract period. We need uniformity in teacher salaries across the country, and teachers’ time must be valued. Let’s give our teachers a wage that they can actually live comfortably.
Source: NEA
5. 76% of educators think that behavioral problems of students are a serious problem.
We have always dealt with students’ behavioral problems, but many teachers feel that behavioral problems are on the rise. What we need to reduce this burden is the support of administrators. Every effort should be made to ensure that school and district administrators are provided with support for balanced and challenging behavior in classrooms. It’s hard to teach when you’re trying to handle abuse all day long.
Source: NEA
6. 76% of educators think 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 got summer vacation! ”? What most people don’t know is that teachers work in the summer for their inadequate salaries. Teachers also need to deal with distrust from parents and the public. Books are being banned, lessons are being censored, and curricula are being run by school boards because the public does not trust teachers to make their own decisions. Be sure to mention the overwhelming amount of helicopter parents entering our school that they know more about education than educators. When teachers are being restricted to many levels and autonomy has become obsolete, it is not surprising that so many people are leaving the profession. If we listen to the voices of our teachers and rely on their experience, our schools will be a much more positive and inviting place.
Source: NEA
7. 92% of educators support hiring more support staff.
We need more support. Not just administrators, but para-professionals, playground assistants, and other adults on campus. The support staff not only supports the teachers, they also support the students. School districts should look at their funding and use the funds allocated to get help from qualified people – not more computer programs.
Source: NEA
8. 84% of educators support hiring more counselors and school psychologists.
Most educators support hiring more counselors and school psychologists. Some school districts have fired counselors at a time when more counselors are needed. Not only do students need more support, teachers also need the help of mentors to support their students. Hiring more mentors and school psychologists can help create a more positive school culture. Counselors can visit the classroom, teach lessons about socio-emotional awareness, and become a more trusted adult to rely on students.
Source: NEA
9. 94% of educators want more student health and behavioral support.
Since we are seeing much more challenging student behavior, it is clear that students need more health and behavioral support. Students need clear guidance on how to handle emotions, how to deal with problems in social situations and much more. In today’s world, students are coming to school not only to learn, but also to learn how to handle their emotions. Helping students in these areas can help teachers find more productive learning time in their classroom.
Source: NEA
10. 87% of educators support low quality exams.
It is understood that state exams are a federal mandate, but why do districts add more unnecessary exams to teachers’ already jam-packed schedules? If district-directed testing doesn’t help, it should go. It would be better for us to have more time to implement instructional strategies than just taking one test for the sake of giving one test.
Source: NEA
11. Only 10% of educators recommend a profession to a young adult.
Teachers are so dissatisfied that they do not recommend teaching as a profession. How can we take others into a profession if those who are currently teaching tell them to stay away? Teachers are warning others that teaching is not an easy profession and it is not for everyone. Another 22 percent of teachers surveyed said that another reason to warn others to stay away is because compensation and benefits are not enough.
Source: MDR
12. Only 30% of teachers are satisfied with their current position.
Due to the epidemic, adaptation of instructions, as well as keeping pace with lesson planning, grading, student behavior and professional development, has left teachers less satisfied with their position. Although teachers still enjoy working with children and sharing their knowledge, they are not happy about the stress and lack of respect in this profession.
Source: MDR
13. 65% of educators agree that bureaucracy interferes in education.
Outside of communication between the administration and the board of education with what actually happens in a classroom. They do not know how to teach or how students learn. Teachers feel that the joy of learning has been absorbed by the need to push the curriculum.
Source: MDR
14. 78% of teachers experience symptoms of stress and depression.
Teachers are coping with job pressures due to instructional change, distance learning and support for students’ social and psychological education. The top sources of teacher stress were related to teaching both personally and remotely at the same time during the epidemic. Having more structures and guidelines from the administrative level can help reduce this stress.
Source: RAND Corporation
The good news is that some teachers, despite the pressure, are staying, and this is thanks to strong leadership. According to US News & World Report, teachers who have received support from their school administration want to stay. Teachers are also positioned if they think they have a voice and are being heard in the decision-making process.