This year’s been a very challenging time to be a teacher. Educators have had to jump endless hurdles such as navigating the enforced online learning push, being underpaid, and not getting enough respect (now more than ever) that they should be earning. It’s clear that teachers become teachers because they envision cherishing their students and seeing the successes that follow from their guidance, and not because of any hefty paycheck that is granted.

By Melissa Cronin-Brown

It’s crushing when the joy of witnessing the transformation take place in a student who was once struggling in a subject now thriving in it, is gone. Gone because of the dimness on the education field that comes from the dark cloud that has hovered over it as of late. The sudden change in curriculum to everything being taught via Zoom calls changed the entire dynamics of people’s careers, regardless of how much prior experience was had.

National Education Association president Becky Pringle wrote an opinion piece in USA Today where she stated, “nearly 300,000 fewer people are working in K-12 schools than before the pandemic.” By not feeling like the job is fulfilling their spiritual or financial wellbeing, teachers are walking away from their positions in search of something that will appropriately compensate for their time and efforts.

“When we listen to, respect and support educators, students win,” Pringle went on to say. Being a former science teacher of over 30 years, she can certainly commiserate over the current crisis. It is happening to fellow academists who are bravely trying to make a difference even still, amongst the many obstacles. It begs the ultimate question: If teachers are not motivated or inspired, how do they expect their students to be either?

To make matters worse, teachers are not the only ones with vacancies to fill; bus drivers, paraprofessionals, nurses, and mental health professionals are also in need of help. An August 31st statement from The White House said that these openings that are in desperate need of being filled are essential for students to recover academically. Essentially it is also crucial that children have the capabilities to access the support they need to prosper both in and out of the classroom.

The unfortunate reality for teachers is that low pay and burnout have already been existing factors years before 2020 and all that has ensued since then. Biden Administration officials have announced that President Biden’s American Rescue Plan has put in $130 billion to allow school districts across the country to increase compensation and hire more professionals across the workforce.

Both the Department of Labor and the Department of Education have said that the past almost three years have only exuberated these shortages. They are referring to the issue that there has been a long-lasting demand for teachers in particular areas. These areas include special education, engineering, career and technical education, math, bilingual education, science, early childhood education, and technology. These two departments are calling for districts to use federal funds to expand education programs and to increase teacher pay.

On the other hand, there was sunshine brought to light to honor the start of the recent school year: Dunkin’ Donuts nationwide offered a free medium-sized iced or hot coffee to educators on Thursday, September 1st for the return to the classroom. The coffee chain was kindly paying homage to those who are working tirelessly through the hardships. DD’s news release read “In celebration of teachers and all they do for their students and communities, we’re proud to recognize educators for their passions and dedication…with a coffee on us at the start of a new school year.”

Teachers reacted via Twitter to express gratitude for the warm gesture. Once inside the store, they didn’t even need to show school ID to prove who they were; all they had to do was go up to the counter and ask for their free drink. It was a much-needed pick-me-up for those who were anxious about the start of what a fresh fall start could mean for the months to come.

Shannon Durkin, Dunkin’ Donuts’ field marketing manager, explained that the company also launched a sweepstakes to give one deserving teacher free coffee for an entire year. Though the unknown of the future is hard to withstand, it is comforting to know that businesses like this care. It shows that not only are they paying attention to topics that need to be addressed, but they are also not holding back on giving a platform to those who matter.