Teachers Concerned About Staffing Shortages

education-safe-5-21
education-safe-5-21

A new survey shows increasing concern among teachers in Michigan classrooms. 91% of those surveyed in late January said they were extremely or very concerned about the growing teacher shortage and its impact in the classroom. Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart says Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed retention bonuses are a good first step.

“State leaders must take action to retain current educators and recruit new ones,” Herbart said. “That begins with increasing compensation for all school employees, politicians listening to the voices of educators when crafting education policy, and respecting our educational school professionals for the professionals that they are.”

The statewide survey showed an increase of up to 20% of respondents who say they plan to leave the education field in the next two to three years. Another 14% say they plan to retire.