Thanks to an anonymous donor, Holland Public Schools will offer 10 teachers $25,000 each year to help purchase a house within the district as long as they commit to teaching there for five years.
"Our focus turned from educational leader to a position of protector of public education," says Dave Wick, superintendent of Columbia Falls School District 6 and president of the Montana Association of School Superintendents.
Here's the narrative: Burned-out teachers are bolting the profession for more satisfying and lucrative jobs in the private sector. But research in one state may reveal an arguably more concerning outcome.
Early planning for both postsecondary and career pathways can not only save time and money in the long run, but can also give students ample opportunity to discover their interests and strengths.
Many districts across the country are grappling with teacher shortages large and small. Limited federal data show, as of October 2022, 45% of public schools had at least one teacher vacancy; that's after the school year had already begun.
Across the country, teacher turnover is hitting historic highs and undercutting enrollment growth, but not all who leave the profession are finding better jobs.
According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers earn a median salary of around $61,000 a year. Unfortunately, some states' averages are well below this number.
In 2019, the superintendency was changed for good. The profession is now a multifaceted and complex job that no one could have anticipated, and it requires intense training and preparation, one expert says.
In Texas, districts are allowed to use emergency permits to hire non-certified teachers to meet staffing needs. One district has tripled its special ed staff hiring numbers this school year, but is it worth it?
