As the new school year begins across the country, public schools are struggling to hire and retain qualified teachers. Fewer young adults are entering the profession, shortages remain high — especially in hard-to-staff subjects and regions — and school staffs lack the diversity of their student populations. In attempting to fill vacancies, lawmakers in Florida, New Hampshire and elsewhere have proposed cutting corners by reducing the qualifications necessary to become a licensed teacher. But as an education policy analyst and a former teacher, I know this is a mistake. Deprofessionalizing education only compounds the harm that staffing shortages inflict on students and communities. Moving forward means addressing the root cause: lack of respect for teachers.
Teaching public school during the first years of the Covid-19 pandemic, I experienced firsthand the treatment teachers face — and it was a roller coaster of a ride. One moment we were revered as hardworking heroes who care for children’s well-being and education. The next, we were called selfish and lazy by policymakers and the press alike. The infamous phrase “those who can’t do, teach” was weaponized against us. We were called insignificant at best, and manipulative at worst.
The above excerpt was originally published in MSNBC.
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