

"If we’re serious about getting every child the support they need to thrive, our elected leaders across the nation need to address this crisis now." Survival ModeĪccording to the U.S. “This is a five-alarm crisis," she continued.

"And, it is preventing students from getting the mental health supports needed."

It is forcing them to give up their class planning and lunch time to fill in for colleagues who are out due to COVID," Pringle explains. "It is preventing educators from giving their students the one-on-one attention they need. These shortages are not new, says NEA President Becky Pringle, but the pandemic has exacerbated the crisis, and students are paying the price. However, the poll found that a disproportionate percentage of Black (62%) and Hispanic/Latino (59%) educators, already underrepresented in the teaching profession, were looking toward the exits.Įighty-six percent of members say they have seen more educators leaving the profession or retiring early since the start of the pandemic in 2020.Įxhausted and exasperated, classroom teachers and other school staff are under an unprecedented level of strain, made worse by recent dire staff shortages that have plagued school systems across the country. With more members like you, we’ll have a stronger collective voice that can help educators live better lives, so our students get the best education possible.
