The teacher shortage crisis: Where do we go from here?

by Sydney Jensen

As a teacher, instructional leader, and a parent: I’m scared.

Anecdotally, each time over the past year a colleague shared they were Googling “jobs for former teachers,” weighing the financial implications of taking a leave of absence, or considering early retirement, the fear that we are heading toward a reckoning brewed with a bit more tenacity in the pit of my stomach.

Then, right here in Nebraska, NSEA released the results of their fall 2021 member survey. The results should have all of our stomachs doing backflips.

Elementary Education

Teachers serve as leaders within the educational team to plan lessons, support school administration, communicate with parents and lead students in a lifelong journey of learning. 

Certified teachers are needed throughout the country to teach in a variety of classroom and school settings, or even to serve in administrative or support staff roles.

Why become a teacher?