When my partner, Alex, decided to pursue a career as a high school English teacher, he entered the profession with a clear understanding of the challenges that lay ahead. Coming from a family of educators, he was aware that teaching is demanding work. However, he believed it would be a fulfilling endeavor, a way to channel his passion for learning and inspire students to express their thoughts effectively. Perhaps, he thought, he would even ignite a love for literature in his students, encouraging them to engage with works like Shakespeare or even compose their own sonnets.
At that time, we were relatively new parents, and we envisioned that teaching would afford Alex a healthy work-life balance, especially since he was an incredibly devoted father. He fondly remembered his own father returning home by late afternoon, allowing ample time for family activities. While we didn’t expect to amass wealth, we anticipated that he would earn a reasonable salary, complete with benefits and scheduled raises, all while avoiding excessive hours or overwhelming stress.
After a challenging job search, Alex landed a position at a school with a supportive community of teachers and administrators who genuinely care about each other. The students, though often lacking the enthusiasm for literature that he hoped for, are generally good kids who appreciate his contributions to their education.
However, the reality of being a teacher has proven far more demanding than he expected. Although students are present in school for just six hours a day, Alex dedicates between 10 to 12 hours to his work each day. Rising at 5 a.m., he arrives early to grade papers and prepare lessons. His full teaching schedule leaves little time for planning, and the precious moments he does have are consumed by grading and administrative tasks. Lunch breaks are a rarity.
After school, he attends required meetings, engages in professional development, and makes numerous calls home to students’ families. Often, he stays late to catch up on grading and lesson prep. By the time he returns home around 5 or 6 p.m., he is utterly exhausted. Despite his love for our two children, he struggles to manage the evening chaos that awaits him, merely trying to reach bedtime without losing his composure.
The National Picture
Nationally, teachers face similar challenges. They spend significantly more time with their students compared to educators in other countries, leaving them little opportunity during the school day to handle the myriad tasks associated with teaching, such as lesson planning and grading. Consequently, much of this work spills over into their evenings and weekends, with no additional pay for overtime.
The result? A staggering amount of stress, dissatisfaction with the profession, and a high risk of burnout. According to a Gallup Poll conducted in 2014, half of all teachers reported experiencing high levels of stress, surpassing even the stress levels reported by doctors, making teachers some of the most stressed professionals in America. Additionally, the poll revealed that 70% of teachers feel disengaged from their work, raising concerns about the implications for the students they educate.
Most educators, including Alex, do not attribute their frustration to their students. They are careful not to let their professional stress affect their interactions with students. Instead, the systemic issues within the educational framework are the primary source of their struggles.
Systemic Issues and Their Impact
The Washington Post recently highlighted a survey of 30,000 teachers, revealing that much of their stress arises from the constant implementation of new initiatives, such as adhering to the Common Core State Standards, often without adequate training. The pressure to continually adjust curricula and “teach to the test” adds to the overwhelming demands placed on teachers, rendering their jobs increasingly stressful and time-consuming.
Many teachers noted a marked increase in stress and a decline in job enthusiasm over the past few years, coinciding with the onset of these initiatives. Unfortunately, this is precisely when Alex began his teaching career. Despite his dedication to his school and students, he is already feeling the weight of burnout just a few years in, a sentiment echoed by countless other educators.
What Can Be Done?
So what can be done to alleviate this situation? We need to elect officials who prioritize the well-being of teachers, advocating for fair contracts, salary increases, and the repeal of burdensome initiatives that hinder both teachers and students. Furthermore, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate our children’s teachers—not just during holidays or at the end of the school year. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work can significantly boost their morale, contributing to a more positive educational environment for everyone involved.
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In summary, teachers are under unprecedented stress and deserve our recognition and support. It’s crucial to advocate for their needs and acknowledge their hard work daily, ultimately benefiting our children’s education.
Keyphrase: Teacher stress and salary increase
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