The stats leave no doubt: there is huge dissatisfaction among teachers. The turnover rate is very high. We need to answer the obvious question: why don’t principals and administrators take better care of their teachers?
The most recent MetLife Survey revealed: “Teacher Dissatisfaction At An All-Time High.” The NEA Today website continues: “Teacher job satisfaction has plummeted to its lowest level in 25 years, from 62 percent in 2008 to 39 percent in 2012 –- a total of 23 points[.] … More than one-half of teachers report feeling under great stress several days per week, as opposed to one-third in 1985.”
Forbes.com reported: “High Teacher Turnover Rates are a Big Problem for America’s Public Schools….46% of all new teachers in the United States leave the profession within five years…Teachers cite lack of planning time, workload, and lack of influence over school policy among other reasons for their decision to leave[.]”
Edutopia sums up the situation this way: “Every year, U.S. schools hire more than 200,000 new teachers for that first day of class. By the time summer rolls around, at least 22,000 have quit.”
Interestingly, less than 20% of teachers cite salary as their primary complaint. About 70% say the big problem is workplace conditions.