Democratic lawmakers, educators urge better pay, conditions to address teacher shortage

Democratic lawmakers, educators urge better pay, conditions to address teacher shortage

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SALT LAKE CITY — Joshua Brothers didn't take a traditional track into teaching.

After working in publishing, Brothers sought a career to make a difference in the lives of young people.

"I'm wearing the suit I got married in, and I've got a hole in my shoe. I’m working three jobs, and I wish I had more time to dedicate to the kids in my class," he said at a news conference Friday at the Utah Capitol.

Brothers was among a handful of teachers who joined Democratic lawmakers who are sponsoring legislation intended to help address the state's teacher shortage and improve working conditions.

"The teaching profession in Utah is in crisis," said House Minority Whip Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City. "More teachers leave teaching after one year in Utah than any other state."

On top of that, fewer young people are going into teaching, which means there are not enough students graduating from teacher education programs to meet market need.

Ten years ago, there were 914 undergraduate students in the University of Utah's teacher education program. The fall of 2016, there were 336.

"It's an issue of class size, it's an issue of salary, compensation," Briscoe said. "It's an issue of lack of support in schools, school districts and the Legislature. It's an issue of school climate."

House Democrats unveiled an array of bills ranging from a school accountability plan to a program that would extend different levels of loan forgiveness to teachers for home purchases if they remain the profession five to 10 years.

Julie Palmer Gnotta, a veteran educator who is a school achievement coach in the Canyons School District, said she is part of "an amazing school community," yet Canyons — like the rest of Utah — struggles with teacher recruitment and retention.

Thirteen of 50 new teachers left last year. Four left midyear this year.

"What we're seeing is a shallow pool of applicants so fewer qualified people are applying, especially in the areas of math, science, dual language immersion and special education in middle schools across our district," Gnotta said.

"We're hiring teacher candidates who don’t have formal teaching backgrounds. What we're finding with those folks is they're very willing and eager to work on the teaching craft and improve, but it takes a lot of additional support," she said.

While all the teachers who spoke said they appreciate state lawmakers' focus on education issues, most educators want people to respect their chosen profession and provide compensation commensurate to other professionals.

"All we're looking for is a living wage," said Brothers, who teaches language arts.

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