Teachers

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Teachers earn $67K on average. Is push for raises too late?

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — As schools across the country struggle to find teachers to hire, more governors are pushing for pay increases, bonuses and other perks for the beleaguered profession — with some vowing to beat out other states competing for educators.

https://apnews.com/article/teacher-appreciation-week-salary-cda032d966d7cf10208a526431d68d3a?

[phkrause]

Burnout, low pay and politics are driving away teachers. Turnover is soaring for educators of color

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Rhonda Hicks could have kept working into her 60s. She loved teaching and loved her students in Philadelphia’s public schools. As a Black woman, she took pride in being a role model for many children of color.

https://apnews.com/article/teacher-retirement-quit-job-b0c39ec0d4320e12f2767a342e503f85?

Why this matters: The last few years have been a trying stretch for teachers everywhere. They’ve had to navigate COVID-19, a pivot to distance learning and the struggles with mental health that accompanied students’ return to classrooms. Then there’s the pay: Educators’ salaries have been falling behind their college-educated peers in other professions.   Nationally, about 80% of American public-school teachers are white, even though white students no longer represent a majority in public schools. Having teachers who reflect the race of their students is important, researchers say, to provide students with role models who have insight into their culture and life experience.

Related coverage ➤ With teachers in short supply, states ease job requirements Teachers earn $67K on average. Is a push for raises too late? As conservatives target schools, LGBTQ+ kids and students of color feel less safe