The state of Florida is about 9,000 teachers short for the upcoming school year this fall – that’s according to the state’s largest union of education workers.
Regional Director of Teach for America, Lakeisha Wells-Palmer says there is a shortage because it’s a tough job that not everyone can do.
“We are responsible for academically growing and supporting students on a day to day basis.” Wells-Palmer said. “Teachers are with students for more than eight hours a day. So the profession is hard in itself.” A survey of high school students found that only 5% were interested in becoming teachers, and that survey was from four years ago.Pay is also a concern. While Florida has made recent moves to increase the base salary for new teachers, the overall average teacher salary in Florida is $51,167 -- below the national average of $65,293.
“We are the most needed profession, yet we get paid the least we are the ones that create the next generation, next generation of doctors, lawyers, and other key professions,” Wells-Palmer said. “And teacher pay is something that needs to be addressed.”To address these issues, the FEA is asking the state education department to take immediate steps including:Allowing good-performing teachers to get longer-term contracts.
They say the role of a teacher as a mentor or source of support to students is an attractive aspect of the profession, but they say that’s quickly disappearing from the job.
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