Episode: 373

Episode Title: Shunning the Field of Education

Students can tell their teachers are at the end of their rope. So how does that affect their likelihood of entering the profession? Let’s talk about it, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 373 show:

Welcome to The Perna Syndicate! Education in America—and likely everywhere else—has reached a tipping point. Almost half of teachers are considering quitting, which would be truly disastrous for students and communities. But the problem doesn’t stop there. 

Teachers and students spend hours every day together—and unfortunately, stress isn’t easy to hide. Even teachers who don’t actually mention their burnout to the class still show it in a thousand small ways that young people can observe. 

And they’re paying attention. 

They see the elevated and prolonged levels of stress that their teachers and substitutes are experiencing. And it’s operating as a warning not to enter this profession. Who wants that kind of life, for that kind of money? Obviously, fewer people entering education will only exacerbate the teacher and substitute shortage for years to come.

The record numbers of workers who are quitting their jobs is being called the Great Resignation. But few other industries are also facing a potential ‘Great Shunning’ like education, where young people just won’t step foot in the field in the first place.

As a nation and as local communities, we need to do something about this. Or we’re going to pay the price.

Alongside the drop in people entering education, these tough conditions could also lower the quality of education. I’ve got the details on tomorrow’s episode of The Perna Syndicate. Stay tuned and we’ll see you then.