Dive Brief:
- A new online survey of 1,000 K-12 teachers by the University of Phoenix® College of Education shows the majority of teachers find the work fulfilling and that at least 27% of K-12 teachers switched careers to become educators.
- 92% of K-12 teachers reported satisfaction with their careers, and more than 67% would recommend teaching to others; top reasons given for job satisfaction include "no two days are alike" and "lifelong learning opportunities."
- And yet, there is a shortage of talent. The survey looked at the consequences of the teacher shortage in the U.S: 37% of respondents said one or more full-time teaching positions is unfilled in their schools, and 12% reported 5 or more.
Dive Insight:
Districts have handled the shortage in varying ways, and states have, too. In general, recruiters seeking new teaching candidates are increasingly using social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to help find prospects.
Districts already using social media may have an advantage, especially since the majority of younger candidates are already online and engaged with social media. Others, like Hawaii, have turned to the mainstream media for help.
In Hawaii's case, that led to an overflow of applicants, many of which were unqualified to fill the state's estimated 1,600 open teaching slots for 2016-17. When teaching jobs go unfilled, the consequences on students can be serious. In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia School District will offer summer classes to offset a lack of learning for those students who went without qualified teachers for over 33% of the school year.