
The Crisis in Public Education
Many school districts are plagued by unethical and unprofessional practices when it comes to firing employees. A quick look at the Facebook pages of most districts and a call to local teacher unions reveal two unsettling truths: these districts are desperate to recruit and retain teachers, yet they continue to lay off experienced professionals at an alarming rate, especially in the midst of a national teacher shortage. This pattern has led to inconsistency in teaching quality, weak relationships between teachers and students, overwhelmed and anxious educators, and, in some cases, poor pedagogy and limited content knowledge.
As a result, many districts are slipping into a state of mediocrity and complacency. The expectations placed on teachers are far greater than those for most other professions, particularly in terms of education, compensation, and emotional investment. While micromanagement and abuse exist in various fields, few jobs demand such extensive preparation outside of regular work hours and offer minimal downtime during the day. Although teachers have generous holiday and summer breaks, having evenings and weekends free from work duties is more beneficial for their families than extended time off. It's also worth noting that teachers often attend meetings and training during the summer.
This situation may explain why fewer people are choosing to become teachers, despite the profession’s rewarding nature.
A Shrinking Talent Pool
The number of students enrolling in teacher colleges across the country is decreasing, and some institutions have even dropped their certification programs due to a lack of interest. As a result, many districts are turning to emergency certifications and pulling staff from central offices to cover classes. Meanwhile, schools continue to fire experienced and developing teachers, often citing a lack of “fit.” In at-will states, this is a common excuse, but it raises serious concerns about the impact on both teachers and students.
Just recently, a news story highlighted how employees at typical American schools often look the other way when witnessing harassment or attacks, out of fear of reprisal. This level of toxicity can erode trust and community within the faculty and student body. Word of staff changes spreads quickly, and students often learn about firings before the affected individuals themselves. Many districts replace more than half of their faculty every few years, leaving only a few tenured teachers in each department.
Hostile Work Environments
Veteran teachers frequently face hostile work environments where their expertise is constantly questioned. This negative treatment can extinguish a teacher’s passion and lead to career derailment. Most teachers are eager to serve their communities and give back to the places where they first developed a love of learning. However, complacency and indifference often dominate the culture of public schools.
These issues are not isolated to one district or school. One contributing factor is that many administrators are unaware of how much more demanding teaching has become in recent years. Teaching requires not only subject matter expertise but also the ability to teach reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to students who have lost valuable instructional time, especially during the pandemic. How does a high school English teacher teach Shakespeare to students with limited English proficiency or those reading at a fourth-grade level?
The Consequences of Teacher Turnover
While experience alone does not guarantee good teaching, the loss of qualified educators is significant. It often takes years to develop classroom management skills, motivate students, and master one’s content. Research suggests that many teacher-education programs are not fully effective in preparing educators for the evolving demands of the profession. Many teachers credit seasoned colleagues or mentors as their strongest source of preparation.
When teachers are fired before mastering their craft, both faculty and students suffer. Staff reductions are sometimes justified due to financial constraints or ineffective teaching. However, the problem lies in the fact that decisions are often based on political, philosophical, or social differences rather than professional development. Instead of mentoring new teachers, administrators often set unrealistic expectations, leading to frustration among parents and students.
Misdirected Anger and Silenced Voices
Administrators frequently misdirect anger toward struggling teachers instead of addressing systemic issues. Teachers are often told that their school has high expectations for students, yet there is often a lack of a functional curriculum and outdated instructional methods. For example, the gradual-release model is often touted as innovative, but it is not always the most effective approach for every lesson. Overemphasis on Lexile levels has been largely discredited as a means of helping students access meaningful texts.
Another issue is the silencing of new voices. Administrators often prevent progressive-minded teachers from sharing fresh ideas with their colleagues. This results in an overburdened staff that feels undervalued and professionally undermined. With low morale, teachers struggle to meet the growing demands of rising poverty, shrinking resources, and a changing workforce.
An Uncertain Future
Despite these challenges, some students still thrive, especially those with personal connections to administrators. However, this success is often due to external factors rather than the school environment itself. Inequity persists, and school boards cannot rely on the achievements of a small group of privileged students if they want to produce successful leaders and critical thinkers.
The impact of this bias will be devastating for the community and its workforce. Students need a learning environment that fosters confidence, stability, and consistency. Unfortunately, many schools are failing them on these counts.
A Call for Change
Schools must implement policies that recruit and retain quality educators who are dedicated to meeting the needs of all students through intentional and innovative practices. Every school has the potential to be high-performing, with caring teachers who are committed to progress and justice. The alternative is a hostile work environment that denigrates the teaching profession and stifles the passion of those who have invested so much in their students. It is time for change.