Nearly a third of teachers in the U.S. are 50 and older. Teachers are facing an agonizing decision: Do I return to the classroom and risk my health or retire early? The pandemic could lead to a teacher shortage of nearly 2 million jobs in a few years.
This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org. It is part of The Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need To Know Special Report.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly a third of teachers in the U.S. are 50 and older; about 18% are 55+. And according to the Kaiser Foundation, roughly 80% of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. were of people 65 and older. COVID-19 has hit older African-Americans hardest in terms of hospitalizations and deaths.
She says: “Teachers are, and always have been, essential workers — but not essential enough, it seems, for the Trump administration to commit the resources necessary to keep them safe in the classroom.”The decision older teachers are facing In some parts of the country, things have gotten contentious for teachers trying to decide what is right for them and their families.
Leaving the job she loves Others, like Dora Williams, 60, who haven’t racked up enough years on the job to retire, are just walking away from jobs they love — with despair. According to a NEA survey, 28% of its members say the pandemic has made them more likely to retire early or leave teaching altogether. And at a time when the U.S. continues to struggle to diversify its teaching workforce, 43% of Black teachers say they’re now more likely to retire early.
Some analysts say that having a safe and effective vaccine would help, but this might not happen until 2021. Others think the key is a certainty that funds and safety policies will be in place, including proper protective equipment and classroom cleanings for children, teachers and staff. According to an NPR poll, 78% of U.S. teachers are concerned about accessing sufficient PPE and cleaning materials for teaching in person.
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