The pandemic exacerbated the existing problems. Fears of catching Covid-19 and enforcing pandemic protocols are additions to the long list of challenges teachers face daily -- from low pay and often little regard from their communities, to growing numbers of school shootings and legislative requirements about what and how to teach. Many educators have walked away in recent years and amid a dire shortage, few people want to fill their spots.
While some say it's too early to know the specific impacts of the pandemic, Lynn Gangone, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) told CNN the numbers already show Covid-19 further dissuaded Americans from going into teaching. In fall 2020 and 2021, about 20% of institutions surveyed by AACTE reported the pandemic resulted in a decline of new undergraduate enrollment of at least 11%. Roughly 13% of institutions reported "significant" declines in the number of new graduate students. Regional state colleges and smaller private institutions -- often found in rural communities -- have seen the steepest declines.
"I don't know how bad it's going to have to get before we realize as a country that if we don't invest in education ... we will not have anyone in the classrooms to teach our children," Gangone said.
I would love to be a teacher. If I could walk in, do an interview, and prove competence - I’d probably start teaching next week. But going back to school for a B.A. in education, doing an...
I would love to be a teacher.
If I could walk in, do an interview, and prove competence - I’d probably start teaching next week.
But going back to school for a B.A. in education, doing an internship, getting the license - it could take years.
I wish it was simpler - I have a bachelors already (business). I could teach algebra to any 7th grader...
...for private tutoring, or coaching little-league, or Big Brothers Big Sisters - there are no prereqs. But to be a teacher requires so much more.
(I do understand why it’s standardized, and I respect the teachers who've gone through it.
I’m just saying I wish it was simpler, because teaching kids is FUN!)
I don't know where you are, but in Texas and New Mexico, if you have a BA already you just need to pick up the education classes, about a year's worth. Your previous classes can help with the...
I don't know where you are, but in Texas and New Mexico, if you have a BA already you just need to pick up the education classes, about a year's worth. Your previous classes can help with the subjects that the state accredits you to teach. There are hoops, but they are pretty easy to navigate. There are also often programs to get business people, people finished with other careers, etc. into teaching. Of course every state is different but if you want to do it the kids definitely need you, and it may be easier than you think,
Look into your state’s emergency certification requirements. It doesn’t get rid of the actual requirements in place (you’ll still have to do them eventually), but it lets you kick that particular...
Look into your state’s emergency certification requirements. It doesn’t get rid of the actual requirements in place (you’ll still have to do them eventually), but it lets you kick that particular can a bit further down the road while also getting into a teaching position earlier.
The rules vary by state and area of need, so this also depends on what you’d be interested in teaching. Secondary math teachers are in much shorter supply than history teachers, for example, which makes getting an emergency cert much easier for the former.
That’s great, I think you would love tutoring. It changed my whole perspective. I had forgotten how it felt to be 13 and struggling. One girl I tutored was convinced she was bad at math. She had...
That’s great, I think you would love tutoring. It changed my whole perspective. I had forgotten how it felt to be 13 and struggling.
One girl I tutored was convinced she was bad at math. She had zero confidence in her intelligence. Couldn’t even look at an equation.
Most of the struggling kids were that way...they weren’t really having a math issue, they were having a ‘self-belief’ issue.
Nurturing their authentic, rooted confidence...and then watching them bloom...that was the most fulfilling thing.
You would need a MS in Education not another BA. But yeah it takes years and really is just a pointless sequence of hoops to jump through when you compare what it addresses to what teachers...
You would need a MS in Education not another BA. But yeah it takes years and really is just a pointless sequence of hoops to jump through when you compare what it addresses to what teachers actually do.
On the other hand, that's kind of also what teachers are imposing on the students. The idea that it's possible to separate proof of competence from long-term compliance with "educational" requirements is basically the polar opposite of the ideology of the school.
That's true. I've always aligned with programs that allow more freedom (tutoring, coaching, Big-Bro Big-Sis). You can do pushups, go skateboarding, talk about movies, play basketball - and then...
That's true. I've always aligned with programs that allow more freedom (tutoring, coaching, Big-Bro Big-Sis).
You can do pushups, go skateboarding, talk about movies, play basketball - and then tie it in with lessons.
To me, the real goal of teaching is to build creativity, concentration, and confidence.
Once those are equipped, the learning is instinctive.
More discussion at r/teachers.
They should just drop their dumb credential requirements.
What requirements do you mean?
All of them.
I would love to be a teacher.
If I could walk in, do an interview, and prove competence - I’d probably start teaching next week.
But going back to school for a B.A. in education, doing an internship, getting the license - it could take years.
I wish it was simpler - I have a bachelors already (business). I could teach algebra to any 7th grader...
...for private tutoring, or coaching little-league, or Big Brothers Big Sisters - there are no prereqs. But to be a teacher requires so much more.
(I do understand why it’s standardized, and I respect the teachers who've gone through it.
I’m just saying I wish it was simpler, because teaching kids is FUN!)
I don't know where you are, but in Texas and New Mexico, if you have a BA already you just need to pick up the education classes, about a year's worth. Your previous classes can help with the subjects that the state accredits you to teach. There are hoops, but they are pretty easy to navigate. There are also often programs to get business people, people finished with other careers, etc. into teaching. Of course every state is different but if you want to do it the kids definitely need you, and it may be easier than you think,
That is a good idea. It would be fun to do, even as a tutor / volunteer.
I will see if anything like that available.
Look into your state’s emergency certification requirements. It doesn’t get rid of the actual requirements in place (you’ll still have to do them eventually), but it lets you kick that particular can a bit further down the road while also getting into a teaching position earlier.
The rules vary by state and area of need, so this also depends on what you’d be interested in teaching. Secondary math teachers are in much shorter supply than history teachers, for example, which makes getting an emergency cert much easier for the former.
I’ve done some mentoring professionally. I might want to do private tutoring should I retire early.
That’s great, I think you would love tutoring. It changed my whole perspective. I had forgotten how it felt to be 13 and struggling.
One girl I tutored was convinced she was bad at math. She had zero confidence in her intelligence. Couldn’t even look at an equation.
Most of the struggling kids were that way...they weren’t really having a math issue, they were having a ‘self-belief’ issue.
Nurturing their authentic, rooted confidence...and then watching them bloom...that was the most fulfilling thing.
You would need a MS in Education not another BA. But yeah it takes years and really is just a pointless sequence of hoops to jump through when you compare what it addresses to what teachers actually do.
On the other hand, that's kind of also what teachers are imposing on the students. The idea that it's possible to separate proof of competence from long-term compliance with "educational" requirements is basically the polar opposite of the ideology of the school.
That's true. I've always aligned with programs that allow more freedom (tutoring, coaching, Big-Bro Big-Sis).
You can do pushups, go skateboarding, talk about movies, play basketball - and then tie it in with lessons.
To me, the real goal of teaching is to build creativity, concentration, and confidence.
Once those are equipped, the learning is instinctive.