By Randi Locke
As the school year begins and students enter the school, a million things enter parents’ and kids’ minds. There are a million things to worry about from class schedules to after-school activities. Recently parents back to school supply lists have gone viral for having to buy color-coded folders for not only their child but the whole class. This led to the debate on why parents should buy supplies for other kids and why schools cannot provide them. This debate led to teachers chiming in and revealing that they are the ones who contribute school supplies not only for the kids in need but also for other classroom activities. Adding to the long list of things teachers do to support their students. Teachers contribute more than they can so children can have a good education and often find themselves tapped out and underappreciated. Though a large part of the issue is the school system, there are ways parents and the public can alleviate the stress placed on teachers. Because teachers put so much into their work, they are left feeling depleted. According to the Learning Policy Institute teachers are 2.5% more likely to leave their first year if they do not have any support. According to Career Outlook, 270,000 teachers are estimated to quit every year. While these statistics sound frightening, they are a result of multiple factors.
One of the biggest reasons for teachers quitting is student behavior. According to a survey conducted by Chalkboard Review, out of 615 teachers 319 cited student behavior as the main reason they quit. Over the years disruptive behavior has increased from 66% to 70% since the pandemic according to a study conducted by Education Week research center. The increase in disruptions can be linked back to the pandemic. Some teachers claim that the pandemic impacted students’ motivation and morale. Despite distance learning being in place for a year and a half, the impact on students has been tremendous. The isolation from other students and teachers has caused children to forget how to socialize. Teachers are having to quarrel with students over classroom procedures and behavior in class. These behaviors cause nearly four hours of class time to be lost a week according to a poll conducted by Education Healthcare Public Services.
Teachers are reporting that students are behind not only in behavior but also academically as a result. One teacher even went viral for stating that his seventh-grade students still read and write at a fourth-grade level. This statement is supported not only by other teachers but by the study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Though scores declined before the pandemic, reading and maths scores have hit a historic low in 2023. These low scores impact public school funding and resources. This forces teachers to deal with crowded classrooms with even fewer materials. This added amount of stress causes teachers not only strain on the job but also off.
One of the leading causes of health issues in teachers is burnout. According to the American Educational Research Association, 40% of teachers are more likely to experience workplace anxiety than healthcare workers. This anxiety is linked to the lack of support teachers receive. Some of the most common health issues teachers face according to a survey by NEA
Philadelphia. In the aftermath of these two necessary actions, I decided that the following two statements would define what #thehobbyexperience is and what it will look, feel, and sound like. #thehobbyexperience is:
Benefits are voice disorders, hearing loss, eyestrain, anxiety, and depression. With the risks teachers face, there are ways for parents and communities to support teachers.
One of the best ways to support teachers is parent involvement. According to the National Literacy Trust, children’s reading comprehension increases when parents help kids with reading and writing exercises. When parents get involved in their kid’s education it also has a social impact. A study conducted by the APA revealed that parent involvement helps kids social skills within the classroom. This allows teachers to maintain control of the classroom. Parent involvement can have an amazing impact on how students behave in the classroom. Parent organizations such as Parent Teacher Associations, can also provide resources like funding for field trips, and new books. For teachers to receive support outside the classroom, communities must be involved. Community involvement not only shows teachers that they are appreciated but alleviates some of their stress. For example, local businesses can host back-to-school supply drives for students in need. By doing this teachers will not have to provide students with extra supplies out of their salary. Communities can also host local forums to encourage families to interact with teachers outside the classroom. Communities providing support for teachers, allow for open communication amongst all parties. Teachers continuously do their part to go above and beyond for our students; it is time we show them some support.
