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These shortages are not new, says NEA President Becky Pringle, but the pandemic has exacerbated the crisis, and students are paying the price.
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However, the poll found that a disproportionate percentage of Black (62%) and Hispanic/Latino (59%) educators, already underrepresented in the teaching profession, were looking toward the exits.Įighty-six percent of members say they have seen more educators leaving the profession or retiring early since the start of the pandemic in 2020.Įxhausted and exasperated, classroom teachers and other school staff are under an unprecedented level of strain, made worse by recent dire staff shortages that have plagued school systems across the country. With more members like you, we’ll have a stronger collective voice that can help educators live better lives, so our students get the best education possible.
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