I think that decades' old illusion has finally broken too with the fact that so many teachers have not only left but how much we have de-professionalized educators in recent years. We aren't superhuman and we're tired of trying to live up to that moniker. We completely burned out from it and realized we could find a better life outside of the classroom than what the role of teacher could provide.

Glad you got out! Having sanity back is priceless for me as well.

Especially these days with what is being termed "Roommate Parents" who want teachers to parent their children while they get to just hang out with them and be their friend.

It's more of a teacher retention issue than just a simple "shortage" as I said in the video.

That doesn't surprise me at all unfortunately. We've de-professionalized education and everything to such a degree that we have eroded the institution as a whole. Sure, there's the political argument that they want to privatize education, but at the same time we need to acknowledge that part of it is just a changing culture when it comes to parenting. They expect educators to not only teach their children but also parent them as well because they just want to be their kids' friends - which is beyond our purview and saddles educators with more work and stress that they don't need. It's debilitating the professional as a whole and leading us down a road where students will be taught by the worst quality educators.

@@KevinTheID I’ve seen the deflection of responsibility things, but it seems to vary widely even within my own metro area. Refugees and new immigrants don’t do that, for the most part. But every school where I’ve worked has had at least a few entitled parents. Sometimes to a comical degree. I love serving a school with 30% English Language Learners. The kids come in with a work ethic, and their parents are actually grateful. I mean, a good number of the other families are great, too. But it’s really obvious which kids have no behavioral expectations at home. And their parents would really like us to fix that. Along with teaching them to tie their shoes, wipe their own noses, etc. If I had a whole school full of that, I would have quit a long time ago.

@@AprilFriday-de6vm Well put!

On the contrary, it's an easy thing to solve, unlike the deep cultural and religious issues that plague Israel and Palestine that prevent them from reaching a simple or sensible compromise. For education: 1. Pay teachers a living wage. 2. Have actual disciplinary consequences for student misbehavior. 3. Restore teacher's abilities to remove troublesome students. 4. Hire administrators who are actually interested in helping their staff rather than just using teachers to get promoted. 5. Allow teachers more flexibility with how they plan and execute curriculum. 6. Abolish the current teacher evaluation system and replace it with one that is fairer instead of one that promotes a "gotcha culture." 7. Allow teachers to evaluate their administrators in the same way administrators evaluate teachers. 8. Abolish standardized testing as an institution in order to stop using it as a basis for evaluations, funding, curriculum, and political control. 9. Ban cellphones or at least create a better system to teach kids how to properly use technology in the classroom. It's currently used as a crutch. 10. Stop socially promoting students who haven't met basic skills and content requirements in order to inflate graduation rates. 11. Increase security across the board. 12. Change school schedules to allow both teachers and students to have actual time off/work-life balance and make school more engaging. 13. Treat educators as subject matter experts with a wealth of knowledge rather than professional babysitters. Now, I know that listing these things are far easier said than done, but this shows that if you actually want to recruit and retain teachers, the steps to do so are right in front of us. However, politicians and administrators won't commit to any of these changes because it goes against their best interests - even though they don't realize that education never was about their best interests. It's supposed to be about the teachers and their students' best interests.

@KevinTheID Hi Kevin, you make many good points, but your best one was: "If you actually want to recruit and retain teachers". The sad reality is they don't. Project 2025, for example, wants to abolish the Department of Education. All the points you make have been made(except for phones) and not addressed since the Reagan(the original villain) Era when I started teaching.

I think blaming this on Reagan isn't fair (with the exception of standardized testing which is generally on him). These problems have been a slow burn since the 1960's and the Vietnam War. Like you pointed out, those with actual political capital don't really have any vested interest in making the system better or recruiting/retaining quality educators. That began with the lack of trust in the government that arose from the handling of Vietnam and the antics of Nixon in the 1970's. Those in power started to use education to push agendas at that point and introduced legislation that changed the nature of education. I mean, you can look backwards all the way to McCarthyism in the 1950's for them changing what educators can and can't do/teach to combat Communism - laws which are are still on the books and restrain teachers about teaching certain aspects of that topic to this day. As for abolishing the Department of Education, that's probably never going to happen. Even if it somehow does, something new will take it's place because there admittedly does need to be some type of governing body that ensures a certain quality of education in this country. The current one doesn't do that though and is something to consider at the very least reforming.

@KevinTheID Reagan and Thatcher started the whole process of winding back progressive gains right back to the new deal. The worldwide destruction of union power has seen worker's share of productivity gains drop from 63.5% in the 1960's to 51% nowadays. The recent Supreme Court decisions have revealed the right's "long game." I think a case could be made that it's more sinister than a lack of motivation.

Oh yeah, I think anyone with half a brain has known for a long time that education has been subverted by politicians to push agendas. Though politics have always been a component of education, it had never reached the levels it does now. Teachers are now seen as professional babysitters rather than their deserved status as subject matter experts. As a result, we aren't consulted on anything that we need or asked on what would actually make the system better. It's like ordering a new building be constructed without ever consulting a construction worker.

Of course! I think the media (like everyone else) just latches on to what the main narrative is - which is "teacher shortage" - and never ask the teachers themselves what that really means. We're often the last to be consulted about anything. I know I never would have left education if so many things were different...but her =e we are.

It's similar here, we have a massive surplus in secondary Humanities. As a history teacher, I remember just how difficult it was to find a job and there were years where I didn't find something and had to substitute. I had to get a dual credential in English just to improve my chances of getting a new position at one point, which though proved successful, still showed how much we had to do to get noticed. The situation is horrendous in education these days as a whole and teachers have finally stopped putting up with it. I think the general public sees how bad it is now too and are choosing alternative options for their children; hence the push for school choice and the declining enrollment schools are facing in part due to that.

@@KevinTheID Indeed. I'm a history teacher and subbed for years as well. I've actually left public education and transitioned to working in museums. I get to work in my field of historical interest and it's much less stressful. I still sub on occasion if I'm bored and want an extra bit of money.

@@fwfs Best of both worlds I think. I also looked into museums when I was transitioning out but the ones in my area are either far away, don't pay much, or are entirely volunteer based.

Anything I can do to help?

@@KevinTheID what have you used in the past to overcome the guilt of not having to seek employment when you know you've reached that point of fatigue?

@@nae_1047 Just making sure I understand the question: You're asking how to overcome guilt associated with job search fatigue?

@@KevinTheID yes and feeling guilty because you've stopped searching. The fomo of missed opportunities.

​@@nae_1047 That's a tough one because there isn't an easy answer. FOMO and guilt can be debilitating if you let them but you have to start by acknowledging that you may also not be missing out at all. Even if you didn't stop searching, you could still be in the same position you're in now. The job market is one of the worst we've seen in the last 50 years right now and there aren't many opportunities. Plus, you need to be in the right mindset to job search. What if you kept searching while totally burned out and ended up making serious mistakes in interviews because of it? You need to allow yourself some grace and time to get back in the right place to start searching again. Do what you need to do to regroup, relax, and get in the right headspace. There's no guarantee you'll get a job either way, but taking care of your mental health should be your paramount concern.

I know...it's like people are somehow surprised that educators have finally woken up to how abusive and toxic a job teaching is and chose other careers instead. It feels like society as a whole, and politicians and administrators in particular, believed that the goldilocks era of teachers doing as they were told and being professional babysitters would never end.

I partly agree and partly disagree with you here. Teachers likewise see the bad teachers on staff who do things like this. I even reported one who was being verbally abusive to his students and some misandrist teachers like you mentioned too. They absolutely exist and our points here merge in that many men don't want to be teachers because of the false allegations they are constantly going to experience. As a result, we continue to retain a female-dominated profession where a lot of boys don't have good male role models (but that doesn't mean there aren't amazing female ones at the same time). I also agree that administrators make far too much money and have garnered far too much power and control over their staff. They use teachers and their accomplishments to get promoted rather than actually supporting them like they used to 20-30 years ago. I was always locking horns with my administrators for that very reason. We call them "social media administrators." As for vouchers, well...that's a mixed bag. I think having school choice is important and the public school system is rapidly becoming a less than stellar choice for many parents who end up homeschooling or sending their kids to charter/religious schools. The issue is that many of these methods aren't perfect either and likewise have their own shortcomings. It all comes down to what parents really believe are best for their child given their situation.

Your comment alone shows me that you were never a young male teacher in today's education system that is dominated by a "let the kids say whatever they want without repercussions" mentality. Hundreds of male teachers in both the U.S. and U.K have been victims to this and I can show you the data if you want. I literally did my Master's Thesis on the disproportionate number of false allegations made against male teachers. Also, there was no proof BECAUSE I was innocent - kind of thought that was clear.

@KevinTheID I have formed my opinion already, so it doesn't matter what you say to try to justify what you may have done/said to cause those accusations. Just be glad it's just an opinion until proven otherwise, because if it is proven otherwise you will have far larger problems to deal with than my disbelief of you on the internet. I hope you're telling the truth, but if you're not, I hope like hell you get found out. That's all I'm saying man. Also, the education/indoctrination system is a JOKE anyway, so my kids will be home schooled for these very reasons.👌🏻

@KevinTheID Oh, and as an educator, you should know that no proof doesn't always mean innocent. Maybe just pick your words better next time. Had you done that, I probably would have had your back. Your own word usage is what aroused my suspicion.

It's regrettable you have formed such hostile opinions of not only me but an education system that is NOT out to indoctrinate your children. There are so many teachers out there who are just trying to do a good job and prepare students for the future but are hamstrung by bad policies, a hostile working environment, and political infighting. I've done a video on that as well: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mL2ZdciexLe7cZs.html As for my diction, I'm well aware of the words I chose. I understand your concerns but if you watched the entire video you would see my points more clearly than you can in a 54 second clip.

I should also add back in 2010 Australia moved away from permanent work and only offered contracts or casual employment. This has meant most teachers my age and experience have never had a permanent job or job security. So when NSW offered only 1400 permanent positions it was a real insult to the situation.

That's astonishing and unsurprising at the same time. We too are experiencing major layoffs in the U.S. despite also saying we don't have enough teachers - and yet they refuse to understand that root causes of that problem and why over a million educators have quit or retired early since January, 2020. This situation is happening all over the world and we honestly refuse to admit that it is as big of a reckoning that it is. I think it would be absolutely wonderful to have you on our podcast to talk about the situation in Australia and how it is concurrent to that here in the United States if you would be interested!

@@KevinTheID actually I’d love too

Glad to hear that! Here's the link to my LinkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wheeler92/ Go ahead and message me on there and we can set something up!

A "shortage" implies that they're aren't enough teachers - which strictly speaking is the case, so no, it's not imaginary. However, calling this situation a shortage greatly oversimplifies the reasons why no one want to remain or enter the profession. The only shortage that exists in education are of teachers who want to be underpaid, disrespected, and treated as professional babysitters rather than the subject matter experts that they are. This is why there isn't a shortage in the traditional sense of the term...there's a retention and recruitment problem stemming from a hostile and toxic working environment. The word shortage implies a different problem than what is there.

Exactly! Education has reached a reckoning over the last 4 and a half years because teachers have finally woken up to how bad our students have become since the pandemic. We finally found our voice and realized that in the end, we have to take care of ourselves first. We spent a long time being the selfless teacher that dutifully did a service for society but have now found positions and careers where we can take care of our mental health, have work life balance, and be there for those we care about.

We still had a mentor and were required to do work to clear our credential during the first 2 years of full-time teaching like you are describing. Unfortunately, it often devolved into busy work and added more for us to do rather than serving as actual professional development/something meaningful. It didn't help us "get settled" in the job since day-to-day we were left to our own devices. The curriculum map and state standards were followed as well but those aren't onboarding materials - you have to base your lessons on those.

@@KevinTheID Funny, our district’s curriculum map has lessons and materials. Sure, one could modify them but at the same time just use them as they are.

@@jayscards8640 We had a bit of both. There were certainly lessons and materials included in the map but it tended to be more open-ended. Toward the end of my time in the classroom, I generally just followed what was there since I started checking out of the job lol.

Yep! We have a shortage of teachers who are willing to be treated like disposable objects.

It's driving everyone away these days!

Florida has some of the worst failing schools in the country due to all of the political involvement and infighting there. It's clearly hurting teachers and students alike who feel persecuted rather than supported.

Yeah, our "raises" never meet the standard of living or inflation, so we're actually making less every year. Plus, we aren't making a salary commensurate with people who have the same level of degrees and certifications - because educators aren't seen as professionals and content experts anymore, just professional babysitters. Even with training too, there's just no career advancement in education. Unless you want to take on more work for a stipend or become an administrator, there's nowhere for you to go. That leads to career stagnation over time.

Precisely! It's honestly not that hard to recruit and retain quality educators if you actually treat them as professionals and pay them the wage that multiple degrees and certifications entitle them to. Instead, we've de-professionalized educators, pay them far below people who have commensurate levels of education and experience, and have essentially surrendered the school system to student and administrative control. Admin doesn't provide repercussions for anything anymore and the kids know it.

Ban cell phones ? 😂 what

@@thisgirlisoverit I didn't comment on that originally because I'm conflicted on the idea of banning cellphones. My cohost and I actually recorded an entire podcast episode on this almost a year ago where we discussed that cell phones are heavily disrupting the classroom these days but that banning may not be realistic either. Give it a listen if you're interested: open.spotify.com/episode/5GYXa9gt7aUA0UkM2ME7hB?si=Z6aYD_jKRO-Z2-hudX38-Q

Much appreciated! Thanks!

As I said at the end of the full video, what we really have is a shortage of teachers who want to be treated as disposable objects.

Happy your mom is finally getting out of the job! It just isn't a good place for people to be anymore. I mentioned in my full video a couple days ago that the school system was built to accommodate the burgeoning number of children created by the Baby Boom following World War II. It was a mass-produced education format which is finally breaking down and we have too many schools now as a result.

I've heard that from other nurses too! It seems both education and healthcare are suffering from this same retention issues right now.

How so?

No he is totally right

@@fremontpathfinder8463 I am in the classroom. Not buying what you are selling

@steveisaak4320 We aren't "selling" anything. We're stating how bad the public school system is right now and why teachers are leaving and not entering the profession. If you disagree, then that's fine, but you need to offer evidence to the contrary.

Absolutely, it's just sad how the job has degraded to the state it's in now.

That's a big part of it and I mentioned it in the full version of this video, available here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nNuEh8KBvLSXfqs.html The standard of living is so much higher than it was during the Baby Boomer era and it's near impossible to sustain ourselves on one income anymore. This has led so many to plunge themselves into their careers rather than having children and considering how bad education as a whole is in the first place - fewer kids is kicking over the house of cards that the school system has become which is based on quantity of students.

I actually made a video on how graduation rates are made up these days: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qdehe6iSr7Wve5s.html We push students through to pad numbers and make it seem we are graduating more kids than ever before. Administrators push teachers to inflate grades and do as their told instead of what's best for the students themselves.

I am so sorry you've had to go through that. The ghosting, presentations/projects, and multiple rounds of interviews that go nowhere seem to be growing by the day. I am likewise unemployed following a layoff and have had very little luck finding anything. The economy is in a soft recession right now and so many companies have laid people off to save costs - which has made it just that much more difficult to stand out among the competition. Plus, companies can afford to unicorn hunt right now. It's not a job seeker's market.

What's ironic though is that No Child Left Behind actually ended up leaving more children behind because educators and students alike couldn't keep up with the demands and increasing standardization.

@@KevinTheID it truly is horrendous the amount of testing that happens at all levels. I had worked with at-risk youth and they were the first to fall through the cracks.

@@beautifulstrengthsfitness3497 English Learners and those with disabilities too. They've been mainstreaming them for a while now and that only hurts their developmental progress. They aren't able to keep up with normal course loads and standard classroom teachers just aren't able to give them the proper attention that they need.

Good question! I completed a college certificate program to become an ID during my final semester in the classroom. There was also a DIY component where I better learned the authoring tools I would be using (through Udemy mainly) and applied them to creating a portfolio of work samples that I could use to sell myself as an ID. I also reached out to experts in the field, had coffee chats with them to gain more practical knowledge, and watched their videos as well. I highly recommend looking up here on KZfaq The eLearning Design Academy by Tim Slade for great how-to videos.

That's the problem. We loved our kids and didn't leave because of them. Sure, the bad and violent ones were a component of our decision to leave, but they weren't the main reason. Education itself has changed and we can't see ourselves in that position anymore since we can't do what we set out to do.

Oh absolutely! Degrees and certifications only get you so far because they give you the theory. Even as teachers we know how much theory was pumped into us during our credentialing classes and how little of it was practically used on the job. We learned how to be better at what we did by doing the job.

Yep, exactly what I did!

And nothing but the truth!

Good lord. I think the problem is since education funding has plummeted and layoffs are even impacting teachers now, schools are trying to recuperate any money that they can - even here in CA. You were right to get a lawyer because you shouldn't have to pay anything back outside of days you didn't work at the end of the year or the money it took to pay your substitutes. Fines are normal if you break contract, but again, it is to make up the difference of days AFTER you break it, not from your FMLA or disability.

Glad to see things are going well for you! You might be thinking of my brother though!

Thanks! Much appreciated!

I know, right? I was talking to someone on LinkedIn the other day about this and we couldn't understand why this was still such a point of contention.

@@KevinTheID Thanks for making the video.

@@PaulH581 My pleasure!