A quick thought: Yes, I know you are swamped. If you are a mom providing help for your children’s online schooling while simultaneously offering your own classes to students who may or may not log on, you are likely inundated with urgent items on growing to-do lists.
BUT THIS MAY BE THE YEAR — THE YEAR YOU MOVE ON TO THE BETTER PAYING, BETTER SUPPLIED DISTRICT DOWN THE INTERSTATE.
Some of those men and women in their fifties and early sixties are planning to retire. I am talking with them. Those with health issues or simply enough time in the system are thinking of cashing out this summer. A number have already done so.
That better-paying district down the road? It almost always offers more support personnel as well as a higher salary. Extra hands can help manage social distancing questions, take children to the nurse, tutor students who fell behind this year, and do many tasks that tend to all fall onto the shoulders of the teacher in our less economically advantaged districts.
U.S. unemployment is nearing 15%. In a few years, I predict changing positions will become more challenging. Desperate states will relax teacher requirements in response to their teacher shortages. At least some of the newly unemployed from other fields will choose to enter teaching, going back to college to add courses toward teacher certification. As unemployment moves up into the stratosphere, the teaching shortage may ironically evaporate. I can’t say for sure — no one can yet — since more cautious individuals may opt to stay away from a calling that demands so much social contact. But after awhile, when no other appropriate position materializes for that professional in their late 30s or 40s, at least some bolder souls will decide to make use of their physics or English degree in the classroom.
I don’t guarantee a teacher shortage in a couple of years. But I do guarantee that shortage NOW.
Eduhonesty: Feeling overwhelmed? If so, you are far from alone. BUT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO BUMP “JOB SEARCH” BACK UP TO THE TOP OF YOUR LIST. If you were planning to look for a better position, I strongly suggest you let drop a few of the flaming swords you are juggling, and start juggling those online employment site searches instead.
Even if you weren’t planning to search for another position, I recommend thinking about your district. Have you been carrying the world on your shoulders alone? Did you have eight kids with IEPs in your third period class this year with no aides? Do you always lose your planning periods because of extra duty? Do you make $15,000 less than your next-door-neighbor, a woman with less education who has taught for two fewer years than you?
Here’s my last observation: Teachers tend to stay in more difficult schools because those schools are their schools. They are White Sox fans, not Cubbies fans. They are true to their school, even with its broken water fountains and revolving door administrators. And that’s a good thing. I was true to my school until I retired. I accepted the lower pay and broken door knobs and lost planning periods. I did it for the kids. But this year will be a lot tougher than previous years and those who are also parenting with spouses in iffy employment situations should consider whether this might be the time to make a change.
P.S. If you have the requisite years into a union district and have tenure, I would be very cautious about leaving. Job security may be worth that hit in pay and lack of aides, especially if you have confidence in district administrators. That Principal who has always listened to you and had your back has an intangible value, especially as we navigate COVID-19 waters.
And make sure that a new district will give you full or at least adequate credit for previous years of experience before you make a move. When different districts award steps based on previous experience, those steps may be capped and other rules sometimes apply. One district might only give credit for six previous years. Another might offer full credit for the first six years and one step’s credit for every two years after that. Even with step limits, though, a financially stronger district may result in better pay, despite loss of credit for previous years.
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