[Source – penntoday.upenn.edu]
Educators express concern over political interference and its impact on the teaching profession.
Challenges Facing the Teaching Profession
Amid growing concerns nationwide, Pennsylvania education is raising alarms about the effects of politics on the teaching profession. At a time when more teachers are urgently needed, many believe that political influences are both demoralizing current educators and deterring new candidates from entering the field. Issues such as school shootings and recent political comments have exacerbated an already critical teacher shortage.
One example of this political rhetoric includes remarks from GOP vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, who questioned the validity of individuals without children working as teachers. Maggie Myers-Atac, a history teacher at Olney High School in Philadelphia, agreed that the teaching profession is facing unprecedented challenges. She pointed out the growing negativity aimed at educators, citing criticisms from politicians and even parents as key contributors to the current crisis in the education system.
“We’re seeing politicians and leaders talk poorly about us in the media,” Myers-Atac said. “Unfortunately, many parents have been turned against what we’re trying to accomplish in schools.”
Systemic Pressures on Teachers
In addition to political challenges, Myers-Atac noted that teachers are also facing internal pressures from school administrators. Many administrators, acting on directives from higher authorities, enforce teaching methods that may not align with the unique needs of students in individual classrooms. This top-down approach, according to Myers-Atac, is further complicating teachers’ efforts to deliver quality education tailored to their students.
Despite these hurdles, Pennsylvania Education fares better than many states in terms of student-to-teacher ratios. The state has over 109,000 teachers working in public schools, or roughly one teacher for every 14 students. This is an improvement over the national average of one teacher per 16 students, but Myers-Atac believes that more needs to be done to attract and retain qualified educators.
A Hopeful Outlook Amidst Challenges
While acknowledging the many difficulties that come with being a teacher, Myers-Atac remains convinced that the profession is still immensely rewarding. Recently, she was named Teacher of the Month, an award she described as a validation of her efforts in the classroom. She shared how her students’ recognition of her hard work is a powerful counter to the negative narratives surrounding teaching.
“I had the entire 11th-grade class congratulating me, and students spoke about the impact being in my classroom had on them,” Myers-Atac said. “Every day, there’s something special that happens in the classroom. The problem is that only teachers and students see it. It’s not being recognized by the broader society.”
To address the teacher shortage, Myers-Atac proposed two key solutions: increasing teachers’ salaries in Pennsylvania to make the profession more competitive and altering the “messaging and values” around education to better reflect the essential role that educators play in shaping the future.
By fostering a more supportive and respectful environment for teachers, Myers-Atac believes Pennsylvania education can not only tackle the teacher shortage but also elevate the profession to its deserved stature in society.
