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The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
A study conducted by the National Education Association offers staggering statistics: Roughly 50 percent of new teachers quit the profession within five years. Particularly in the struggling schools that need them most, new teachers are less likely to stay on due to poor working conditions, low pay, and high-stress environments. Which of the following do you think will make the greatest difference in reducing new-teacher dropout? We're interested in your opinion.
What makes me stay
Submitted by Mrs. B (not verified) on May 18, 2008 - 06:23.
Health benefits after retirement would be nice
a 401 K with employer matching funds
Medical that doesn't take 1/2 of my pay
Perhaps making more than 40K, I went to college as long as doctors and nurses do. Compensate me.
I entered the career of
Submitted by Kellie (not verified) on September 30, 2007 - 20:11.
I entered the career of teaching for my love of children and love of learning. “Teaching is a life’s work that is very, very dignified and high level because you grow every day, you learn every day, and you change people’s lives.” (Nieto 2003) If that isn’t enough to keep a teacher going, I am not sure what is. There are a lot of hurdles that teachers come across and a major problem is the lack of respect. Parents don’t have respect for teachers and the children don’t have respect for the teachers. I think a lot of people look at teachers and think we have an easy job with the summers off. There are a lot of people who wouldn’t last a month in a classroom. If we can bring respect back into the equation I think a lot of teachers would stay in the profession and not get burned out. It would also help if teachers received a larger salary. We work very hard and are the foundation of everything. We teach the people who have large salaries and make decisions that can change our world. Without teachers where would our future be? It’s the simple fact that it is hard to support yourself on a salary that teachers make.
Love for Teaching
Submitted by Juan (not verified) on August 16, 2007 - 21:49.
There seems to be some truth in all of the responses. But in my opinion there seems to be a misconception within the public that anyone can teach. And many institutions of higher learning are attempting to take people who leave other professions and attempt to make them teachers within a year at a steep price. As an educator I feel it is important to mention is that teaching is not for everyone. Most teachers that leave within the first few years of teaching, despite being knowledgable in their specific area do not have the heart to become a teacher. It takes a special person with a loving and giving personality. A teacher is one who accepts his/her students and works with them while finding satisfaction with thier success. It is true that educators do not receive the proper conpensation for all that they do, and they definitely deserve more. But increasing pay and incentives will not make a person a better teacher. You either have it or not, and many that try to become teachers and do not have what it takes, leave the profession within a few years. As I mentioned before true, teachers that have a passion and love for their children and take pride in their profession. Teachers are not only educators, they are also play a variety of roles in a childs life. Teachers are the childs counselor, mentor, friend, and many time play the role of parent. And despite all of the duties that society asks them to do are doing their job without reservations. I truly appreciate the job that you do, you are truly admired by the ones that count the most, our children.
Science and Technology Lab
Submitted by Craig Howat (not verified) on July 4, 2007 - 20:06.
A love for the students and the subject matter! I, like a majority of the other teachers who posted, came in to teaching as a second career. I am surprised at the amount of teachers who have lost their passion. There are many factors to blame for this... salary, standardized tests, disrespect shown from students, lack of parental support, etc... The bottom line, I love my students (some of the most difficult in our parish) and I love teaching science and technology. As long as the love of the students and subject matter outweight the many negatives about our CHOSEN profession we should have plenty of dedicated teachers!
Revamp Administration
Submitted by Carey (not verified) on July 4, 2007 - 09:50.
To answer the question about keeping teachers in the profession, I pose a question- what is driving teachers out of the profession? Low pay, substandard working conditions, extreme stress, new workplace hazards... administrators?
I truly believe that in order to keep teachers in the classrooms, keep them happy and in turn, keep kids happy and learning, a new approach to the learning environment must be addressed starting with administration. The truth is that a vast majority of the frustrations teachers face come from administrators. Sure, we all have that kid who relentlessly pushes buttons and that class that refuses to do homework, or even classwork for that matter, then runs home and has mommy and daddy come in for a conference when they take home a bad grade. But to what do we owe these problems? They stem from somewhere.. and that place is the administration. It is up to the administrators to develop a positive school community, to be consistent in managing issues from student discipline to teacher development, to expect excellence, to balance the needs of the HUMAN BEINGS in thier buildings. Schools communities are places where kids want to go to, where teachers care about thier students, where everyone takes pride in what they do. School buildings are rooms filled with apathetic people. There is a difference, and until the unwavering support comes from the administration, all a school will be is a building filled with people. Research shows us that the most successful schools are ones where there is a common vision, where all parties buy into it, where administrators unilaterally support thier teachers, and where teachers unilaterally support each other. This creates a positive environment for the students, and the learning process continues undaunted.
The truth is that in schools that turn over teachers, many of these aspects are missing. Classrooms are not managed because teachers are not being supported- either with management practices and modelling, with support for teacher decisions about students, or with training in time management. Chaos reigns and the learning process is splintered. This in itself can drive even the most dedicated and talented teachers away from the profession. We are not creating widgets, we are helping humans shape thier futures, and promoting that understanding from the top down is the only way to improve those controllable variables, thus, keeping teachers in the profession because they want to be.
Retaining teachers
Submitted by Mike Taylor (not verified) on July 2, 2007 - 19:29.
Private schools pay better than most and we keep the ones we hire. I could leave it at that and it would be enough to answer the question but there is an undercurrent of unintended consequences of good pay.
We get more resumes for positions than most schools, hence, we can be selective.
Because we can be selective, we get good quality teachers, which translates into a better classroom enviroment in terms of control.
We are free to move anyone out of the system whose attitude is not consistent with the mission of the school. Tenure is not an option.
I could go on, but the fact is, when you pay more you attract the kind of quality that can tough out the bad days and probably have fewer bad days in the first place.
When our society begins to value teachers the way China and Japan do, I will venture a guess that the results will speak for themselves.
I have entered teaching as a
Submitted by Mary B. (not verified) on January 2, 2007 - 05:11.
I have entered teaching as a second career. Like Bill, I served 22 years in the military. I have been teaching now for one semester and I have learned much these months.
1. A sucessful student starts with a successful home. Everyone needs a base and those students without that base are at a huge disadvantage. In some cases that disadvantage cannot be overcome. It is very hard to watch a student fail because no one at home cares and the school cannot be the parent.
2. As a society, personal responsibility is a dying concept. If a child fails, it is not that child's fault even if the child chose to not do any homework, pay attention in class, or seek offered additional help. It is a hard truth, but students who choose not to learn will not learn despite any of my efforts. I think we are failing those students by allowing them to continue if they are not prepared for the next grade.
3. Each school is different and I am quite lucky to be in a school system where the teacher is supported with a great administration and superior co-workers. I do not think larger is better. Nor does one set of rules work for every school. Schools need to be able to tailor their methods to the resources (students, teachers, money) they have available.
4. Teachers are ridiculously underpaid. I cannot believe that you can stick it out for 20 years on the salary available. Summers may be "off", but in name only. That time barely compensates for the long work week and the amount of time out of school spent trying to be a better teacher.
Given that changing parenting and individual responsiblity are challenges like world peace, I am not hopeful these issues will be resolved any time soon. I think the drive to standardized schools will run its course, and in some ways the tide is turning. The best way to retain teachers is pay them adequately for the work they perform.
You are so right. Spent 23
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 5, 2007 - 07:27.
You are so right. Spent 23 years in business and would have fired some of these students by now.
I suspect that what I say
Submitted by Bill (not verified) on December 23, 2006 - 02:00.
I suspect that what I say will have been already. I am thankful the "winter break" has arrived. Let's see if I can say it a little differently. No promises. It's been a long week (year) and I am worn slap out.
I love my job. I like the kids. My co-workers are great to me. For the first time in forever, I have a principal who knows what he is doing. Perhaps it's cynical to say it, but that's a rarity anymore. My troubles stem from the sense that EVERYONE thinks they know our job better than we do, from parents to politicians to educrats (administrators WHO USED TO BE educators) to our own students, in some cases.
If we aren't being subjected to some "talking head," who is out to make a buck (usually with the assistance of a central office pencil pusher who has known them for ages) off of some "new" idea that looks disturbingly like an old one, repackaged and retooled, we are being scrutinized for our test scores and/or being threatened with some sort of sanction if some subgroup doesn't do as well as the others. Meantime, we struggle financially to make ends meet, know that we will, as educators, have to do without certain amenities in our lives and, worse yet, be viewed by some segments of society as second class citizens. "If you can't do, teach." As Rodney Dangerfield often said, we don't get any respect.
I do not mind working hard. Indeed, it gives me a sense of satisfaction to know that I have done my job well. It disturbs me greatly when I cannot or do not do that. Speaking as someone who spent 23 years in the military (active and reserve) and thus had some affiliation with the US government all of that time, I have a very low tolerance for "stupid" and for ineptitude, particularly when my clientel (students) get shortchanged or hurt because of it. Too many people moving into "leadership" positions these days do it because they either want more money (and there is nothing inherently evil about that in itself) or, they cannot cut it in the classroom or just want the power to direct others. That's blunt, but after over two decades of work in the classroom, it's what I see. Sorry if that offends, but it's the truth, as I have have come to know it.
I do not mind being "accountable." We are ALL accountable for what we do or don't do, whether we are a teacher or the captain of a cruise ship. But basing my "success" and that of my students on what happens in a few pressure packed testing days in the spring of the year is ludicrous, if not outright scandalous. We've always had standardized testing as far back as I can recall. We had it when I was in school. But there was none of the pressure and politics involved in it that we have now. The results of those tests were used to diagnose individual needs and were never used to beat up on teachers and administrators, decide who got monetary bonuses or who lost or kept their job.
If all of the "experts" would just let us do our jobs and stop trying to micromanage all we do or twist and shape things to fit their OWN needs, we could go a long way towards solving many of our problems.
I was working as an
Submitted by Rose Mary Robles (not verified) on December 7, 2006 - 08:24.
I was working as an Executive Secretary for a handful of Chairmen in a hospital when I learned about the Transitions to Teaching Program. I thought about it and I had taught second graders Catechism in preparation for their First Holy Communion and I loved it. I am forever teaching anyone that will listen, even in the stores, etc. I was 54, I had received my Bachelor's in Psychology and I was willing to take a decrease of about 10-18 thousand dollars in salary. I applied and was hired as a Classroom Reduction Teacher in a bilingual Spanish/English Kindergarten class. What happened behind closed doors to me with the teacher who had been there about 2 years was a nightmare. She told me she was not there to teach other people. She constantly told me that there was still time to leave and try to get back my old job. She also said that she didn't like the Mexican Community and that is why she lived in an all white neighborhoom. She generalized and said the children were all Mexican. They weren't. Some were from Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador, Spain, etc. She was Ecuadorian and I was Mexican. She knew that we were going to be evaluated after a month or so. She didn't say anything to me or denied to give me the list of the children's names--I had to go to the office staff to give me a copy. This woman had a very strong accent and couldn't even spell in her own language much less English. I am fluent in English and Spanish and loved these children. She did not want to share any planning or anything else for that matter. When the evaluator came she made me look as if I were retarded. I had no idea that she was coming that day and hadn't learned the names of the children yet from my own list. I spoke with the principal basically how she was and all she did was listen with a well what can we do maybe she'll stop look. I spoke and wrote it in my notes and gave it to my mentor who was very understanding and said the principal would have to take care of it. I passed my Basic Skills on my second try and this teacher had been working on it for a few years.
After Christmas break the principal sends for me and informs me that I am going to take over a 3rd grade class in a little school on the poorer side of town. I was very puzzled and asked why? She said sometimes these people would rather work alone or with a teacher's aide or something to that effective. It was breaking my heart and my spirit but I started packing. The parents found out and they gave me a huge farewell but said they didn't want me to leave. I started picking up the peaces in the 3rd grade classroom and we had a wonderful rest of the year. There was no stress on their part or my own. The following year I was rehired to teach 3rd grade again. Once again, we were fine. In the year and a half that I taught at this particular school my student attendance was almost 100%. They were glad to come to school and many didn't even want to go home. Finally I received two confusing letters for rehiring for the following year. One congratulating me and the other that I was not going to be rehired and not reason after the union rep investigated. This was very heartbreaking and depressing. It seems that if you are not liked by someone or someone wants that position for a friend or relative you will be out. Another situation was that many teachers were being hired from Spain, Argentina, etc. The children would comment how some of these teachers would call them "sucios" which means dirty and when I had an Agrentinean teacher sub for me he called one of my students an imbecil and had this child in tears I was told. He also gave them writing and he sat at my desk reading a book and drinking a coke with his feet on top of the desk. These are poor children and are more sensitive. All I could do since I was not there is to tell their parents to speak with the principal yet that same principal often mistreated the parents by yelling at them at the top of her lungs and embarrassing them. I know I saw a few crying or tears welled up in their eyes. The worse when that same principal yelled at me in front of my students parents outside of her office. I was humiliated. Another situation made me feel like falling through the floor was all the evaluations and write ups.
It was my first and second year and I was still not comfortable with this although I was with my children. The building was deplorable. Old carpeting (I have asthma), no air. We had a fan.
Another incident on my way to Mexico one year I enountered another teacher sitting next to me and she said she was going to teach Yoga at a resort near Guadalajara during summer break. I said how wonderful and we went on with our flight and conversation. As we were nearing the customs desk in Guadalajara, it was an unusually long line, this teacher and another, whom I hadn't met until then, were complaining about a large group of people who had gotten out last were escorted to the desk before any of us. The two ladies who apparently didn't know very much Spanish or the customs of the Mexican people were in shock that this was occuring. They said that they were going to dress in black next time to see if they would be escorted to the front next time they came. I explained that this family was dressed in black because they were escorting a family member who died and were being told were the coffin would be to escort it to the hearse. They just looked at me and went on. Teachers in another country that is not their own should take note of this and not have spoken out loud as they did. Many people in Mexico speak English now. Anyway, I did write to the mayor of this town and even sent the Governor of Illinois registered letters about what happened to me and never received a response. Many things happen behind closed school doors and many of the 1st year teachers are too afraid to say anything. They make us sign evaluation sheets that we don't agree with and I was told just sign, it's only to say that I was here today. End of story. Thank you for listening. My eyes still well up when I think of my kids and how I was getting somewhere with them and how badly they are treated. Why do the districts hire people from other countries that have different accents, different cultures and leave us who are bilingual and have similar cultures, traditions. These teachers don't know how to spell or pronounce our language so the children this is correct way. There are so many issues but I hope someone can learn from my experiences on understanding these children more by teaching them to speak, pronounce correctly and most of all getting them to go to the front of the class little by little until they are so used to it it becomes second nature. They are so timid and shy that this has to be instilled in them since pre-K and have parents stand with them at the very beginning so that school and its routine is as routine to both parnts and children.
Rose Mary Robles
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