Teaching is an honorable profession that requires a lot of patience and dedication. It’s not one of the most lucrative occupations in the country, but it has the power to change the lives of many children in America. There are 3.2 million teachers in public schools in the States alone, but are we showing them enough gratitude?
Teachers are massively underrated
Teachers are some of the most underrated people in society because they usually don’t get paid enough and are often underappreciated. Teachers are not only responsible for teaching students but also shaping them into responsible individuals who can contribute to society in meaningful ways. Teachers show children new ways of thinking, learning and living through books, games, experiments, and lessons which broaden their horizons and improve their critical thinking.
More attention needed to teachers’ mental health
According to Study.com, within the first five years of teaching, 40 percent to 50 percent of teachers quit the profession. This percentage is roughly around 50% for teachers who work in urban schools.
Another startling statistic is that 9.5 percent of first-year instructors quit before their first full year on the job. Principals and School administrators should be mindful of these stats and give their teachers regular Mental Health Days where they can replenish and recharge themselves.
Loans for teachers
Teachers should get more incentives, which is why they should also be looked upon fondly by the country’s financers. Teaching is seen by many money lenders and mortgage brokers as a respected and reliable source of income.
Teachers that can qualify for a loan include Grade school teachers, Middle school teachers, High school teachers, and college professors, although in addition to this, your credit score (FICO score) and other credit-related information are used to assess your eligibility.
Are there companies that specialize in loans for teachers? Yes, they include The Good Neighbor Next Door program which may help teachers save up to 50% on certain property purchases. Another very favorable option would be FHA loans for teachers; this type of loan comes with an extremely low down payment, and needless to say, will make the homebuying process much easier.
More incentives needed
To encourage teachers to put in their best effort, it is important to incentivize them. Incentives can be as simple as a public acknowledgment of their hard work or a small prize. The key is finding an incentive that a teacher would find meaningful and motivating. According to research by the National Center for Education Statistics, while the majority of teachers love their employment, two-thirds believe they are overworked and unappreciated.
How else can they be motivated? Other incentive examples include Principals and school administrators providing extended breaks to teachers who go above and beyond. With prior clearance, a Friday/Monday day off can be given, gift cards from local businesses and more should also be part of showing teachers gratitude.
As stated by a recent poll, 90% of teachers in the United States are pleased with their employment, but just 36% feel that American culture appreciates education. This attitude has fostered teacher dissatisfaction that has been evident for several years now. We need to do better by our teachers by showing more gratitude in the ways above and more.
