Why teachers are leaving

Discussion in 'Education' started by kazenatsu, Apr 1, 2023.

  1. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    There have been a huge number of teachers leaving the profession, and it's so bad it has even led to teacher shortages at many schools (in the U.S.).

    The media has turned out many news stories and articles about the problem, but for the most part the media seems to be clueless about the actual reason it is happening, instead focusing on a list of possible factors that don't really sound too convincing.

    So why is the media not telling the public what the problem is? Why are they not focusing on the real issue? Because they know that to do so what be embarrassing to the people running public schools, and doesn't fit with their ideological agenda that's in favor of top-down control over the schools. They're against giving schools more local control, or giving teachers more decision over how they teach their classrooms.

    If the media actually focused on the real issue, it would reveal the big problem going on in schools and shine light on an area they don't want the public to see.

    Taylor Titus (@taylor.titus) | TikTok

    "My name is Amanda Coffman, and I resign my position as the teacher for the Shawnee Mission school district, effective immediately. Several years ago a good friend decided to leave education, and she said to me, 'Amanda, teaching is like a bad marriage; you never get your needs met, but you stay in it for the kids.' I didn't fully understand what she meant until this past month. Just like a bad relationship, our communication has broken down. You aren't listening. I thought like a troubled relationship, we could go to counseling, get an outside perspective to work out our differences. But when you failed to show up to the conversation but sent your lawyer instead, I finally understood that this just isn't going to work. The kids and I deserve better. Despite the accusation that we as teachers have not focused on students, I've been thinking most about what the students are taking away, from watching the way you treat your teachers.
    Talking to the board of administrators in this building is like shouting into the wind, and I won't waste my breath.
    I could accept this contract, smile and stay silent about the lies this district perpetuates about its teachers, but that doesn't mean I should."

    She had taught for 22 years; 5 as a gifted teacher for the Shawnee Mission schools. During her time at SMSD, she admitted she never paid much attention to contract negotiations. But the past year has been very different.
    She started to feel the district was being less than reasonable in negotiations.
    "It's not about the money," Coffman said.
    She said the three-year deal SMSD recently brought to the table was the final straw. Teachers wanted promises of more than a pay bump.
    "They wouldn't negotiate control over our own professional learning communities. They wouldn't negotiate having some say in the building leadership teams. They wouldn't negotiate some consistent reporting for discipline so we could target where kids were struggling and help them."

    Other teachers have expressed concern about workload amounts and class sizes. The district's leadership insist that those things don't belong in the deal.

    Coffman said she knows she's fortunate to be able to take this break (not every teacher has the luxury to be able to quit) and that she'll probably end up teaching again someday.

    ‘The kids and I deserve better’: After resignation, Kansas teacher says was final straw - KAKE
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2023
  2. Lindis

    Lindis Banned

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    Sad - and true.

    :(
     
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  3. Lindis

    Lindis Banned

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    Views: 253

    And only ONE answer?
    How come?
     
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  4. HonestJoe

    HonestJoe Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Because the thread wasn't really asking an open question. I mean, even you didn't add anything significant and I'm about to reply in general agreement too. :cool:
     
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  5. HonestJoe

    HonestJoe Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    America: "Teachers these days are all evil leftists who are grooming our children to turn them transgender gay atheists!"
    Also America: "Why are so many teachers leaving the profession?"
     
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  6. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    the right is trying to destroy the public school system, has been for years
     
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  7. Lindis

    Lindis Banned

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    Good to see an answer now!
     
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  8. Texan

    Texan Well-Known Member

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    My brother is being pressured to pass kids who refuse to do their work. He is retiring soon and is already eligible. The younger teachers just comply.
     
  9. Lindis

    Lindis Banned

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    Well - but one might have expected a reaction - after so many views.
     
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  10. Lindis

    Lindis Banned

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