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With a new school year just getting underway, our thoughts turn to the thousands of teachers who directly impact the lives of Utah’s rising generation.
KSL is concerned about the stability of Utah’s teaching force.
Local and national studies put the annual attrition rate among Utah teachers at about eleven percent. That means nearly 3,000 Utah teachers leave the profession each year.
Retirement, of course, claims some. They are seasoned veterans who know the nuances of the classroom and have developed experienced methods for taking their students down the pathway of learning.
Many others, however, are admittedly green. Most often they’re enthusiastic about their new profession and eager to apply the training they’ve received. Unfortunately, far too many of them become discouraged with their teaching experience and turn elsewhere for employment.
As the school year progresses, we can only hope quality teachers, young and old, have a positive experience and develop a desire to continue in their noble profession. At the same time, we urge those with power to improve the lot of teachers, especially legislators who control the purse strings, to find ways to make teaching financially appealing and emotionally rewarding.
Utah’s school children, after all, deserve to have the best teaching corps available, this year and every year.
