Yes. There’s a teacher shortage. That’s not new or news. The news is that it’s growing.
According to an updated report released this month, the teacher shortage in the U.S. continues to worsen, with estimated nationwide teacher vacancies jumping 51% between this year and last.
There are many reasons behind the shortage. From a boots on the ground perspective, teachers start their careers making well below poverty wages. Considering the cost of the education and certification to even get to the classroom, very few people see the value proposition in teaching. Those that take the plunge often stay in the classroom just long enough to qualify for administrative jobs like Assistant Principal, Dean, or Principal, which pays quite well.
Because most teachers make poverty wages, and thus take the standard deduction on their taxes, any usually deductible expenses aren’t deducted from taxes - we don’t itemize. This effectively turns the money spent on decorating and kitting out the classroom into a deduction - or a wealth transfer from those that can least afford it to Districts with plenty of funding.
Teacher vacancies jump by 51% in the US
Teacher vacancies jump by 51% in the US
Teacher vacancies jump by 51% in the US
Yes. There’s a teacher shortage. That’s not new or news. The news is that it’s growing.
According to an updated report released this month, the teacher shortage in the U.S. continues to worsen, with estimated nationwide teacher vacancies jumping 51% between this year and last.
There are many reasons behind the shortage. From a boots on the ground perspective, teachers start their careers making well below poverty wages. Considering the cost of the education and certification to even get to the classroom, very few people see the value proposition in teaching. Those that take the plunge often stay in the classroom just long enough to qualify for administrative jobs like Assistant Principal, Dean, or Principal, which pays quite well.
Because most teachers make poverty wages, and thus take the standard deduction on their taxes, any usually deductible expenses aren’t deducted from taxes - we don’t itemize. This effectively turns the money spent on decorating and kitting out the classroom into a deduction - or a wealth transfer from those that can least afford it to Districts with plenty of funding.