We've got a teacher shortage. Yep, it's that simple to say. This is a complex problem that deserves local, state, and national attention. This past summer, I attended an educational policy forum, and as I listened to governors, legislators, policy makers, and lobbyists suggest policy changes for education, I kept thinking to myself, "Why is the lack of qualified teachers NOT THE MAIN TOPIC OF CONVERSATION!?" (Ok, so maybe I was yelling that in my head.) During this policy forum, I felt like I was watching a ship being built with no crew to set sail, yet the passengers come on board every year, no matter what.
Now I am not going to sit here and write that teaching is without its flaws. I am not going to naively act like issues such as salary, lack of support, and public perception of teachers are not a large part of the shortage. They are a huge part of the shortage. These are adaptive problems that are going to take a cooperative effort to change. While issues like this oftentimes seem paralyzing due to their enormous size and complexity, I think that teachers can make a difference in this issue. There is one powerful statement that I think needs to be addressed. That statement is: "Don't become a teacher."
I was told many times, by educators and family members, that I should not become a teacher. I was told that for a myriad of reasons, and I cannot tell you how thankful I am each day that I did not heed that advice.
This past weekend I was able to speak in front of approximately 250 teachers. I asked them the same question: "How many of you were told NOT to become teachers?" It appeared over half of the teachers in the room raised their hands. Couple this sentiment with the reasons I listed above, and it is no surprise why we have a teacher shortage. As educators, we have to stop telling students NOT to go into education.
This teacher shortage seems like such a big problem, but as teachers we can band together on this. We can work collectively to build our profession. Let's start telling our students that we think they SHOULD be teachers. Let's be intentional with our words, for they are powerful. They hold weight. And they may just be the words that a student needs to hear.
This semester, I have had two students tell me that they want to become teachers. I've made sure to tell them I will help in any way that I can. And I meant it. In the past week, I have also taken the time to tell two more students that I think that they should also become teachers. And I meant it. These are two students who do not have the best experiences in school. They tend to struggle with school as it is now, but because of this struggle, they would make amazing teachers. As I told one of them, "I know without a doubt that you would be a great teacher because you would never want one of your students to feel the way that you do." All four of these students have a passion for helping others, and in my opinion, that is the most important qualification to teach. You have to want to work every day to leave this world better than you found it.
So can we do this? Can we join together and be intentional with our words, to tell others that there is no greater profession, no greater calling than to be a teacher?
Download this PDF, (<---Just click on this hyperlink), and then have that conversation with a student. Take a picture. Tweet it out if your district allows it. Print a copy and give it to your student. These are such simple, yet important conversations to have and actions we can make to encourage future teachers.
Let's start a movement. Let's start telling students of any age that they should be teachers. No one knows teaching better than us. We know the kind of heart it takes to be an effective teacher. Every kiddo deserves a great teacher. So, let's work to build this profession that we love -- one student at a time.
