President Biden for his
signature in Washington.
Chris Pollone, KPRC, 2 news.
>> With many school districts
heading back to class this
month. Parents and students
may not see some usual faces
according to the Texas
Education Agency. Teachers are
leaving in record numbers in
many districts are having
issues filling those critical
positions. Joining us this
morning to shed a light on the
teacher attrition Problem.
Doctor Liz at Berks assistant
professor of educational
leadership at the University of
Houston downtown. Great to see
this Monday morning. Thank you
so much for joining us.
>> Thank you. Good morning,
everyone.
>> Let’s get right why are so
many teachers leaving the
profession right now?
>> This is a great question.
If you care about kids, you
have to care about teachers.
And just a few months ago we
celebrated national Teacher
Appreciation Week and this year was certainly different as
was certainly different as
teachers are reporting burn out
in
record numbers and everyone
will pay has been an ongoing
issue for teachers. I don’t
think it would surprise anyone
to know that teachers are
underpaid for the level of
education that they’re required
to have nation wine. And before the pandemic, we actually saw
the pandemic, we actually saw
all strikes due to this
inequity in pay. Oklahoma was
home to the first for statewide teachers strike in 2018.
teachers strike in 2018.
And so inequity in pay. There’s
actually a shortage of teachers
before the pandemic and 2019, Texas Education Agency reported
Texas Education Agency reported
shortages in multiple
disciplines. And so this
actually result in more work
for teachers in the classroom.
>> Yeah. One of the things I
wanted to talk about a recently spoke
with the American Federation
of Teachers and they conducted
this survey of all more than 100 educators from across the
100 educators from across the
state and and the overwhelming
majority of responses. There
were 4 different categories.
They could respond to the
overwhelming majority of responses. It was something
responses. It was something
like 48%.
>> We’re in the
>> coach or the working
conditions that there were so
many concerns raised about working conditions and the coup
working conditions and the coup
culture of particular district.
How particular district is run.
Our particular school is run.
Could you? Could you talk more
about that? >> Certainly, I think that the
>> Certainly, I think that the
young undervaluing of educators
was certainly seen during the
pandemic as well. So not just
before the pandemic, that
oppressive systems for educators were exacerbated
educators were exacerbated
during the pandemic. And we saw
a lot of unjust policies that
were put in place in some
districts during the pandemic. And teachers were often not
And teachers were often not
included in planning for those
policy changes that happened
in school district sent
directly related to their duties. And so you mentioned
duties. And so you mentioned
that a survey that was the
National Education
Association is the nation’s
teachers said that 55% of educators are indicating that
educators are indicating that
they are ready to leave the
profession earlier than
planned. And there’s a similar
survey that was conducted here
in Texas with similar numbers.
>> And teachers overwhelmingly
saying no surprise to you.
I’m sure they want a greater
voice in in helping to shape the district policies and they
the district policies and they
also want less paperwork, less
real required paperwork.
They want to spend more time
actually teaching the kids. >> Yes, certainly I think
>> Yes, certainly I think
that’s something that’s not
often talked about is the
multitude of mandates that are placed on public schools at
placed on public schools at
the district, state and federal
levels. So that can be placed
on school operations
instruction without really
understanding their cumulative effects. And that also result
effects. And that also result
in teachers experiencing that.
For now.
>> What are some of the ways
that districts can work on keeping teachers and and how
keeping teachers and and how
can parents at the same time
support those educators who are
staying in the profession.
>> I think you mentioned a really key topic is that school
really key topic is that school
districts that are convening
committees to work on
solutions, though, should be
co-designed with teachers. So solutions should not be
So solutions should not be
created in a vacuum in teachers
essential to this discussion
and any committee that’s can
being to definitely have a
strong representation of the diverse group of teachers.
diverse group of teachers.
Another key point is just the
teacher base pay should be be
increased to match the skill
and the licensing that’s involved for this profession
involved for this profession
districts and policy makers at
every level. She certainly be
working opportunity, see
increased financial support
for teachers. And I think also
for school districts taking a
look at removing unnecessary
barriers to retaining and
recruiting more teachers is
important. So this does not
mean that we change the quality
of the skill that’s needed to
be an effective teacher.
Instead, district should really
be working with the education
community to find solutions
that decrease barriers that not
the standard to becoming a
teacher and her.
>> Go ahead. I’m sorry.
>> Now and for parents, I have
a really
I come from a family of
educators and I recall a
special moment at a public
event where a former student
of my mother’s came up to her,
how her and asked her if she
remembered her and my mother
recalled her name instantly.
She had tottering elementary
school and this individual now
had 2 children of her own.
And I like telling that story because it really shows that
because it really shows that
teachers can have such an
impact on a student’s life.
And we know absolutely for sure
that teachers are the most
important school-based factor
for student success. So as
parents to understand more
about the teacher shortage and
they can advocate for policy
makers at each level to find solutions to the teacher
solutions to the teacher
shortage. That doesn’t undercut
the polity of a standard to be
a teacher. So that voice is
vital for parents to also
advocate as well. >> Yes, so important that
>> Yes, so important that
teachers have that support from
parents. Doctor Liz at Berks
assistant professor of
educational leadership at the
University of Houston downtown.