As we’re in the midst of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6), we’re reminded that education is the foundation of our futures, and it’s brought to life through educators dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. There is research that supports the idea that education, as early as pre-K, produces profound, lifelong advantages. Education at any level offers opportunities to expand experiences, upskill in the workforce, contribute to society in new ways and so much more.
Without dedicated educators, we’d suffer as a community, as an economy and as a workforce. It’s critical that we nurture our education system by supporting careers in this field – accessible degree programs, ample funding, providing adequate resources and legislature that enhances the education experience without draining those who carry it on their backs, to name a few.
The best teachers are committed to the excellence of their students, express empathy, are adaptable, listen intently and hold themselves and their students to the highest standards. However, within the past two years, teachers have been on the frontlines in new ways and faced unimaginable effects from the global pandemic. So while teachers have been grappling with inconsistencies in the classroom and implementing hybrid models, among ongoing challenges, it comes as no surprise that burnout is occurring nationwide.
According to a national EdWeek Research Center survey published in October 2021, over 75% of school leaders struggled to find substitute teachers this past year, and the number of special education teachers in Indiana dropped around 4% from 2014 to 2021. This isn’t new, as only 1 in 6 students in Indiana who entered college from 2010-2012 ended up in a teaching career. The current teacher shortage, and the steady decrease in students wanting to pursue this profession, will undoubtedly impact Indiana’s future workforce and our communities as a whole.
So, while we’re reminded of the immense dedication of our educators, we must also be aware that we are experiencing a crisis in our education workforce. We need our teachers, and our schools need solutions. They need us. We must find ways to retain and hire qualified educators for our K-12 school systems.
One solution is having access to affordable, flexible degree and certification programs like those offered by WGU Indiana. This kind of education pathway is available to support adult learners or anyone wanting to switch career paths entirely. For example, teacher aides, experienced substitute teachers and other educators who are just short of a license could benefit from higher education opportunities such as this, which can equip them to succeed in their educational pursuit and also help combat the shortages schools are facing.
Community support is also a critical component to solving this ongoing issue. We need to rally alongside our state’s K-12 schools, higher education institutions, Indiana policymakers and regional leaders to lift our teachers and schools back up. Their drive to bring quality education to all students and ensure their futures include a breadth of opportunities relies on all of us. Emphasizing mental health, advocating for fair pay and ensuring teachers are equipped with the right tools to upskill one’s career are what’s going to make a difference for these professionals and their desire to remain in the profession.
It takes a village to put change in motion and the only way to move forward is to pause and listen to what our teachers, and our entire school systems, need from us.
