Episode 63 - The Teacher Shortage - 16:1

The national teacher shortage is a serious problem. With the compounding effects of pandemic burnout, chronic underpayment, poor working conditions, violence in schools, and political activism causing teachers to leave or avoid the profession, schools in all 50 states are scrambling to fill vacancies ahead of the 2022-2023 school year. STEM fields are experiencing the most intense shortages, with many districts offering stipends, moving cost vouchers, and fast-tracked certification pathways to attract new teaching talent. With many short-term fixes but little traction on future-thinking solutions to school funding models, school leaders and politicians are growing increasingly frustrated, as the U.S. continues to fall behind its peer nations in many education-related metrics.

The Hill – Here’s what’s driving the nationwide teacher shortage By Adam Barnes | April 21, 2022

ABC 15 – Republicans think they have an answer to help with Arizona’s teacher shortage By: Mark Phillips

Universities.com – Top 10 States with the Highest Teacher Shortages 2022 by Sarah Harris

American School and University – Arizona no longer requires a college degree to begin teaching by Brooke Just

NBC 4 – Beating burnout: Ohio lawmaker’s plan to pull teachers from brink of resignation by: Maeve Walsh

Boston Herald – Teacher shortage: One-third of teachers say they’re likely to quit this year by Marie Szaniszlo

Economic Policy Institute – Teachers are paid almost 20% less than similar workers

Arizona Education Association

OECD Data – Teachers’ salaries

OECD Data – Adult education level

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America By Richard Rothstein

Broken Horses: A Memoir By Brandi Carlile