Teachers Facing Weakest Market in Years
At left: For teachers, the math of applicants vs. positions is not adding up.
In school districts across the United States, the demand for teaching jobs far exceeds the supply of positions. In Westchester County and Long Island, New York, for example, more than 3,000 applicants have applied for just 7 or 8 jobs.
Of course, we all know the recession that began in the fall of 2008 has hit industries hard across the board. However, as many sectors of the economy start to show signs of recovery, I wonder how the current shortage of teaching jobs might affect a market already struggling to attract top talent. Will the most qualified applicants opt to pursue careers in more lucrative professions, where jobs are both better-paying and increasingly more plentiful?
What other effects might a shortage of teaching jobs have on prospective teachers, veteran teachers, students and school systems? We want to hear from you!
Are you a teacher, administrator, parent or student who has witnessed a shortage of teaching jobs in your region? What effects have you experienced, and what impacts do you anticipate to come? What, if anything, can be done about the shortage?
Tell us your thoughts!