We’re in the middle of a nationwide shortage for new teachers. It’s been gaining momentum over the past few years, pushing things closer and closer to a critical level. Worse, it’s hitting Michganders pretty hard.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About the Michigan Teacher Shortage:
- 🧑🏫 Subtraction - Half of all public schools across the country reported they were understaffed at the start of the 2022-23 school year. From there, 69% (nice) reported that a lack of applicants was the main hurdle.
- 🏫 Long Division - Attendance for teacher education programs has taken a nosedive. There were 23,203 students enrolled in our state’s education programs. There were only 12.018 by 2019-20. Experts point to rising student loan costs, a mandatory unpaid internship and unruly parents at school board meetings.
- 🎒 Multiplication - And before you ask, the average public school teacher salary in the state is $55,918.
- 📓 Budgets - School districts are doing everything they can to attract new teachers. The Jackson Public School District is even offering a $10,000 signing bonus, paid out over three years. That way teachers can’t take the money and run like a Steve Miller Band song.
- 🚌 Addition - The Michigan Department of Education has been given $175M to create the Grow Your Own initiative that may turn things around. It includes programs that encourage students to get into the education field upon graduation.
🔥Bottom line: No public school teachers plus no public school education equals a lot of dumb Michiganders and no one wants that. Encouraging current students with an interest in teaching to pursue that line of work. Hopefully this stops the freefall sooner rather than later.
Do you know any former teachers?
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