Over the past few years, there have been countless reports of teachers considering leaving the profession, fed up with the stress, pay, and other challenges. But what keeps them in it?
As part of a special new project, The State of Teaching, Education Week reporters asked five teachers from across the country what keeps them in the classroom, and what has improved in the profession since they began teaching.
Their answers reveal the best parts of teaching—the meaningful interactions with students, the freedom to design interesting and engaging lessons, and the feelingof making a difference. And despite the challenges of the last few years, teachers have also noticed positive shifts in education.
New national data on the teaching profession, vivid reporting from classrooms, and resources to help support this essential profession.
Explore the Exclusive Report.
These answers have been edited for length and clarity.
What keeps you in the profession?
—Helen Chan, 4th grade math teacher at South Loop Elementary School in Chicago
—Sofia Alvarez-Briglie, a 7th grade science teacher at Alcott Middle School in Norman, Okla.
—Frank Rivera, a middle and high school English/language arts teacher at Chaparral Star Academy in Austin, Texas
—Griselle Rivera-Martinez, ESOL teacher at Enterprise Elementary School in Enterprise, Fla.
What has improved in the profession since you began teaching?
—Chan, who started teaching in 2009
—Rivera, who started teaching in 2013
—Jacqueline Chaney, 2nd grade teacher at New Town Elementary in Owings Mills, Md., who started teaching in 2008