Where is the respect for teachers?

1/3 of teachers this past 2020-2021 school year have decided to leave the teaching profession...for good.

Is it really a surprise to you to hear that?

As someone who has been a brick and mortar teacher in the past, it should not be.

Let's be real here: There has been a teacher shortage for as long as I can remember.

Sure, we CHOSE the profession, and KNEW what we were getting ourselves into. Sure, okay. Why don't you just leave?

The scary part of this is that's exactly what a lot of teachers are deciding to do in recent years.

But you should also remember that a lot of us did not leave because of the children themselves. In fact, our hearts break when we have to leave those (mostly) sweet angels behind.

Where do I begin...

Depending on where you live, salaried teachers living in rural areas are paid ar0und $20,000-$36,000/year. Okay, so the average is what? $68,000/year? Even then, does it match with inflation? Nope.

"But you get Summer off..."

That is also wrong...in a sense. I have seen teachers lesson planning over the Summer instead of enjoying their "Summer off." They are getting ready for the upcoming year....that is if admin does not decide to change the standards and curriculum again.

"You have benefits and a pension/retirement..."

...with a high deductible, and money I cannot access until I'm 70... It's really not that great if we are honest.

And the biggest red flag of all...

"It's for the outcome, not the income."

I'm not saying the children are not important...let's be clear on this. Remember those money figures I shared with you above? Does. It. Match. With. Inflation? Does feeding our families matter to you?

The same people that say that very phrase are also the same parents that visit you IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR LESSON to chat about their little Timmy in class (and that it's of the most importance to speak to them NOW), or that complain that you did not call or email them back during your off hours. OR, that they don't understand why their little Timmy is failing, and that he should at least get some credit for doing absolutely nothing. May I go on? I'm sure you get the idea.

And don't even get me started on admin basically doing the same things to us, and even the children getting in on this...

It's the RESPECT for me.

And it should be for you, too. If it's not, listen up:

The future of our children is in danger.

If all the good teachers leave, who will be there to teach them?

Oh, sure. There’s a new incentive to get substitute teachers through the door where their pay basically matches the salaried teachers.

How do you think that makes the actual salaried teachers feel knowing that??

Don’t get me wrong, there are great subs out there. But most of the time, it’s just a body in the classroom babysitting.

IF there is not a sub shortage that is. Even subs know this ain’t worth it. Ah, the storm continues…

Many teachers covering other teachers’ classrooms during their planning period, and having to stay later to make sure they have plans for their own classroom tomorrow.

Is it really no wonder teachers are leaving?

RESPECT.

Teachers are tired. Teachers are burnt out. Teachers are frustrated over changes in EVERYTHING. If changing the curriculum doesn’t bother you, then I’m sure the policies changing and parents blaming you for their child’s failure should.

Teachers are trying their best in staying with this because they know those children need it to have successful futures.

You should be terrified if all the good teachers decide to call it quits after this school year is done (if not sooner). That would be a total blow to these kids.

If you want teachers to stay in the classroom, RESPECT them.

First of all, give them the pay they rightfully deserve. Even extra pay for having to cover another teacher’s classroom. Teachers are responsible for teaching our future presidents, doctors, lawyers, firemen, and even mechanics. Do you want to see a future lawyer do a mediocre job at their cases? Do you want to hear of constant malpractices in future doctors? Do you want to have your car constantly going into shambles??

They have the most important job in the world, and a lot of us refuse to see that. Notice I say ‘refuse.’

That’s why it should be vital for parents to volunteer at their child’s school as a requirement (minimum of 8 hours). Parents should be able to witness how the classroom really goes while their child is at school. It should be at least one way to get respect and support from parents. Your parents can turn from your enemy to your champion in front of admin.

I know parents work and there are busy lives, I get that. Even just a couple hours a week adding up to 8 hours should be enough to see how hard these teachers work to be sure that these kids are set up for success. Teachers are always advocating for their students; it’s time for the parents to see that, too. You have to invest in your kid to see the results you want to see in them.

There should be no excuses for teachers to be looked down on like this. If you see that what these teachers have to deal with on a daily basis is bad, why do you suddenly turn the other cheek when someone asks you to offer a helping hand to them? That’s why you refuse to see the problems here.

You don’t like to hear the reality that teachers deal with on a regular basis. It’s not their decision that they have to wear a mask at school. It’s not their decision to teach certain lessons to your child that you don’t like. It’s the constant bickering and complaining from students, parents, and admin. that talk down to teachers like they are scum of the Earth. Like they don’t know how to do their jobs.

So the next time you say, “If you hate this so much, why don’t you just leave?” to a very tired, overworked teacher…

They may just do that.

It’s the respect for me.