When my spouse, Alex, made the decision to pursue a career as a high school English educator, he didn’t do so lightly. Coming from a family of educators, including his father and mother-in-law, he was well aware of the challenges ahead.
He anticipated that teaching would be a fulfilling outlet for his lifelong passion for learning and his desire to empower students to express their ideas. Perhaps he would inspire some kids to memorize a line or two from Shakespeare or even compose their own sonnets.
As relatively new parents, we believed that this profession would offer Alex a healthy work-life balance, especially since he is such an engaged and committed father. He fondly recalled his own father returning home by 3 or 4 p.m., allowing for quality family time.
While we weren’t expecting to become wealthy, we thought he would earn a respectable salary with built-in raises and solid benefits—without the burden of excessive hours or overwhelming stress.
After a challenging job search lasting a couple of years, Alex finally secured a position. It was a good one, featuring a supportive staff of teachers and administrators who genuinely cared for each other. Although the teenagers he teaches might not always share his enthusiasm for literature, they are good kids who appreciate his contributions to the classroom.
The Reality of Teaching
However, the reality of his teaching job turned out to be quite different from his expectations.
Although his students are in school for only six hours a day, Alex dedicates 10 to 12 hours to work each day. He rises at 5 a.m. to arrive early, grading papers and preparing lessons. He teaches a full schedule, and his limited prep time is consumed by grading and lesson planning, leaving little chance for lunch breaks.
After school, he attends required meetings and professional development sessions, engages in endless phone calls to parents, and participates in after-school activities. Often, he stays late simply to catch up on grading and preparation.
Typically, he arrives home around 5 or 6 p.m., utterly exhausted. Although he loves our two sons, his patience is thin during the evening’s chaos. He’s just trying to survive until bedtime.
The Broader Impact
This struggle is not unique to Alex. Teachers across America spend significantly more time with their students compared to their international counterparts, leaving them with little opportunity during work hours to handle other critical aspects of teaching such as lesson planning and paperwork. As a result, much of this work spills over into their personal time—with no overtime pay.
The outcome? A significant amount of stress, job dissatisfaction, burnout, and frustration. A Gallup Poll from 2014 revealed that half of all teachers reported experiencing high stress levels, surpassing even our nation’s doctors. Moreover, 70% of teachers indicated that they feel unengaged in their work.
This alarming situation raises concerns about the impact on our school-aged children. Most educators, including Alex, don’t express their frustrations to their students; the issue lies with the systemic challenges they face.
According to a Washington Post survey of 30,000 teachers, most reported that their stress originates from having to implement a constant stream of new initiatives, like the Common Core State Standards, without adequate training. The pressure to adapt lessons and teach to standardized tests adds to the stress and takes a toll on both teachers and students.
Many teachers noted that their stress levels and waning enthusiasm for the profession surged in the past few years, coinciding with the introduction of these initiatives. Unfortunately, this aligns with the beginning of Alex’s teaching career. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his school and his students, but the risk of burnout looms large.
What Can We Do?
So what can we do? We need to support policymakers who prioritize the needs of teachers—those who will advocate for better contracts, salary increases, and the repeal of burdensome initiatives affecting both educators and students.
Additionally, it’s essential to show appreciation to your child’s teachers—not just during holidays or at the end of the school year. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work can significantly bolster their morale and enhance the overall school experience.
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Conclusion
In summary, teachers are under immense stress and face numerous challenges that affect their job satisfaction. We must advocate for their needs and show appreciation for their hard work, which ultimately benefits our children.