The Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said that Americans shouldn’t be surprised by the disruptions caused by teacher shortages. Educators in K-12 schools rarely receive the same support compared to the ways other professions recruit and retain employees.

“It shouldn’t take schools to be closed and the crisis we’re seeing where we don’t have enough teachers to understand and appreciate what teachers contribute,” said Cardona.

In a 20-minute long speech, Cardona outlined his visions for revamping the teaching profession. He hopes to increase salaries for all educators and provide incentives for positions difficult to staff, including special education and bilingual teachers.

Additionally, he plans to update teacher education programs to incorporate more mentorships, hands-on experience and increase efforts to attract more students of colour into the teaching profession.

For decades, enrollment in teacher preparation programmes has been on the decline causing mounting vacancies at schools. Teaching has a relatively flat wage growth compared to other professions requiring the same level of education. While the supply-and-demand issue of educators is nothing new, it has been exacerbated by Covid-19.

The National teachers unions have said there is “an unprecedented staffing crisis across every job category.” According to a poll by the National Education Association, 55% of educators indicated that they are ready to leave the profession.

The average starting salary for public school teachers in the US is $41,163, however in 32 states the average starting salary is far lower, reported the Learning Policy Institute.

“In too many states in the United States, teachers qualify for government assistance with their salary,” said Cardona. K-12 teachers earn just 67% of what other college educated professionals make in some states. “Our schools and students need qualified teachers and our teachers deserve liveable wages.”

Image from the Guardian