We’ve heard it all before…all across America, school districts have lost teachers, and are continuing to lose teachers. From 2020-2023, more than 50,000 teachers and staff have left the teaching field due to budget cuts, debates over school curriculum, staff shortages, or just plain burn out!
It is difficult for a teacher to show up for work, and have students from other classes join in their class, because a teacher called in sick, and a substitute teacher did not pick up this assignment. Last minute details can be quite overwhelming in an already overwhelming work place.
Post-COVID
Online learning had put a definite strain on an already fragile profession. COVID was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Today, districts are picking up the pieces. Job fairs are popping up in various regions, its sole purpose is to bring in teachers to fill up empty classrooms. Universities set to graduate new teachers are scouted, and communicated with, partnerships are formed. Incentives and bonuses offered to encouraged teachers to sign up. Teacher unions have also been known to “pay” teachers to sign. Teacher roles and responsibilities are reworded, and as clearly defined as possible, degrees and certificates are carefully looked at, years of services and experiences are evaluated and re-evaluated. Long term substitute teachers are called in, and offered positions of 6 months to a school year, programs are added to combat problems developed by online education.
Parents have a better idea about what their child is learning in school
They, after all, had been forced to become their child’s teacher during school shut downs. Now that children have returned to school, studies have shown that there is an increase in parental involvement and parental communication in schools and with teachers. Parents are no longer sitting on the sidelines as they have been known to do. There is a strong push for children to get a good education.
I remembered a commercial I once saw. I do not remember what the commercial was promoting. I do remember a scene. Camera pans to a door which immediately opens to a teacher and a student. The teacher holds the student’s small hand as they descend the stairs. It was a three second scene that stayed with me longer than those mere seconds. It reminded me how important a teacher’s job is. They are not only teaching the present… they are teaching for the future. We need more teachers who care about the future of our world.
Controversy
Fast forward, another controversy has hit schools across America. This time, there are disagreements with teacher guidance on sexual orientation and gender identity. Parents are speaking out against their children being exposed to these ideas, and some have even pulled their children to be home schooled. The LBGQT community have shown an aggressiveness in areas where they did not previously perceive as a threat. Post-COVID, people have been alerted to the dangers of being vaccinated, or not..
In the meantime, the children are the ones who suffer from these all out battles. These disagreements among the adults is putting a lot of strain on kids. These are the kids of tomorrow. They are future leaders. Decision makers. They will eventually be the ones to decide the direction in which this country goes.
Love
It is now more imperative then ever for all things to be done in Love. Love is the connector of all things. People may not speak the same language, but love, like math is a universal language. God is love. Prayers should be recited in schools again. The Pledge of Allegiance should be echoed in campuses, once again. This is the foundation that was initially put into place. Schools need to prepare students for the future of this beautiful country. A safe and secure place to start is to start with love… and a prayer, and patriotic pride. But above all things… Love.