Many parents are telling their children not to become teachers (see the recent PDK poll); at the same time, we are already feeling shortages of educators in many areas, shortages that will soon get even worse. Want to encourage high school students to join our ranks?
At the recent MEA Fall Conference, during the Conversation with the Commissioner, the issue of the educator shortage was raised. A member asked, “Why aren’t we showing students how good it is to be a teacher?” And for that matter, why aren’t we showing them how good it is to be an ed tech, a driver, or any other role in education? What do you love about your position? Share this with the students you see every day. Maybe you are interested in starting a group at your high school to encourage your students to become teachers. If so, you may want to check this out: https://www.educatorsrising.org/ Let’s do what we can to elevate our professions and all the roles in education in the eyes of the public, while we work to improve both working conditions and pay to attract the people our schools need.
