If one thing is clear about public education, it’s that America’s teachers are overworked and underpaid.
In the past three years alone, thanks to COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders, educators had to figure out how to engage students virtually. Then, once in-person classes were back in session, they did their best to eliminate student achievement gaps.
On top of everything, teachers are forced to spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to buy supplies they need to do their jobs — everything from staples and binder clips to hand sanitizer and books for classroom libraries.
It’s no wonder that for some, burnout or leaving the profession entirely has become a reality. Teachers continue to leave the profession in droves — especially, Black teachers.