More people want to teach

by David Safier
It makes perfect sense. During an economic downturn, more people will turn to teaching. With fewer private sector jobs out there, people are more willing to consider public sector jobs where there's less money but more job security. Right now, a new teacher probably has a very secure job. Our school funding can't go any lower — can it? So this year's new hires probably won't get RIFed next spring.

The Star ran an article today, Teach for America swamped with grads. For the first time in the program's history, it's turning down qualified applicants. And listen to who is applying.

Many of the applicants are probably just postponing job hunting for a few years hoping the economy gets better. But some of the best and the brightest will stick around — that is, if they can make a living wage and don't end up with so many kids in the classroom it's a nightmare.

And this is the tragedy. We could hook some of our finest young grads on teaching, both the Teach for America crowd and those who get regular credentials, if we were hiring and had a way to make the job more attractive. College loan forgiveness is one way. Higher wages is another. Plenty of support in the form of mentoring and training would be nice. Up to date textbooks and up to date technology would be nice too. And let's not forget reasonable class sizes and generous planning time.

If a large contingent of intelligent, gifted young teachers joined the
profession who wouldn't have otherwise, and, say, half of them stick
around, that's lots of wonderful new teachers who will give students
first class educations, improve the overall environment of schools and
attract more people like them into the profession.

But we're squandering an opportunity, because we're laying off teachers, not hiring, and the teachers who are left have to teach more students with fewer supplies and less support.