When my partner decided to pursue a career as a high school English teacher, he knew what he was getting into. Coming from a family of educators, he was acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead. He envisioned a fulfilling journey where his passion for literature and his desire to inspire youth would flourish. Perhaps he could even coax a few students into enjoying Shakespeare or crafting their own sonnets.
At the time, we were relatively new parents and believed that teaching would provide him with a healthy work-life balance. He remembered his own father returning home by late afternoon, allowing ample time for family. We weren’t expecting to strike it rich, but we assumed he would earn a decent salary, enjoy good benefits, and maintain a manageable level of stress.
After an arduous job search, he landed a teaching position at a school with a supportive staff and a community that genuinely cared about one another. The students, though often lacking enthusiasm for literature, were good kids who appreciated his efforts in the classroom. However, the reality of teaching has proven to be far more demanding than he anticipated.
While students spend about six hours in school, my partner often dedicates 10 to 12 hours daily to his profession. Rising at 5 a.m., he arrives early to grade assignments and prepare lessons. With a full teaching schedule and limited preparation time, he finds himself buried under a mountain of grading and lesson planning, often skipping lunch altogether. After school, he attends mandatory meetings, engages in professional development, and communicates with parents, frequently staying late just to keep up with his workload.
By the time he returns home, usually around 5 or 6 p.m., he is exhausted. Although he cherishes our two sons, he struggles with their evening antics, merely trying to survive until bedtime without losing his sanity. This struggle is not unique to him; American educators, on the whole, are spending significantly more time with their students than their international counterparts, leaving them little opportunity to focus on essential tasks such as lesson planning and grading during work hours. Unfortunately, most school districts do not compensate them for overtime.
This situation leads to overwhelming stress, job dissatisfaction, and burnout. A Gallup Poll conducted in 2014 revealed that half of all teachers reported high levels of stress, surpassing the stress levels of doctors and making educators among the most stressed professionals in the United States. Additionally, 70% of teachers indicated that they feel disengaged from their work. Given that these are the individuals responsible for shaping our children’s futures, it raises serious concerns about the impact on our students.
Interestingly, my partner, like many teachers, does not harbor frustration toward his students. Most educators are careful to separate their professional challenges from their interactions with students. The root of the issue lies within the educational system itself.
According to a Washington Post report on a survey of 30,000 teachers conducted last year, much of the stress originates from the relentless implementation of new initiatives, such as curricula and testing aligned with the Common Core State Standards, without sufficient training. It’s exhausting to constantly adapt lesson plans and focus on standardized testing, which detracts from genuine teaching.
Many educators noted that the increase in stress and decline in job satisfaction occurred within the last few years, coinciding with the introduction of these initiatives. Sadly, this timeline aligns with when my partner began his teaching career. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his students and school. However, he’s already feeling the strain, a sentiment echoed by countless teachers nationwide.
So, what can be done? It’s imperative to elect officials who genuinely care about educators—those who will advocate for better contracts, fair pay, and the repeal of unnecessary initiatives that burden teachers and students alike. Taking a moment to appreciate your child’s teachers, not just during holidays or at year’s end, can significantly boost their morale and enhance the overall school experience.
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In summary, teachers are facing unprecedented levels of stress and deserve better pay and support. As a society, we must prioritize the well-being of those who educate our children.