Sad Report: Over Half of Missouri Teachers Consider Quitting
I grew up in Missouri and had some incredible teachers that did their best to steer me the right way. That's one reason I find it hard to believe a sad report that claims more than half have considered quitting this year.
KSHB in Kansas City reported on this survey conducted by the Missouri State Teacher's Association. It shows 51% of Missouri teachers have considered hanging it up this year even though a vast majority still say they love their jobs.
Why would teachers who have a passion for helping children learn want to go do something else? The answer isn't what you might think. Yes, the pandemic is playing a role in why teachers are saying they're ready to call it a day. But, the key pandemic-caused reason is surprising to me:
Student's behavior in the classroom
The article says that teachers are vexing over how students who haven't been in class in some cases for a year and a half don't understand how learning in the classroom works.
What's the solution? Many teachers would like to know the answer to that question. The story says there is a teacher wellness program being held in Columbia, but the feedback doesn't present an easy answer for now.
I would like to offer the people I think are key to helping turn the tide: parents.
Reading Rockets shared 10 ways that parents can help teachers in the classroom which includes doing everything they can to give their kids a good start in the morning before they even leave for school.
Something has to be done or we're gonna see a crisis of a different kind with schools not having enough educators to help our kids the way my Hannibal teachers helped me.