From the Bleachers – We Need to Value Our Educators
By Dr. Jack Welch
Every year we hear about teacher shortages, declining interest in education careers, and schools struggling to fill vacancies. Yet we continue to ignore one of the biggest reasons why. We simply don’t value educators the way we should.
Whether it’s K-12 classrooms or college campuses, teachers and faculty are not compensated like the professionals they are. Nationally, teacher pay has failed to keep pace with inflation, while the cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, and everyday living continues to rise. Many educators work evenings, weekends, and even second jobs just to make ends meet.
Salary is only part of the problem, though. The workload keeps growing, while support often seems to shrink. Too many administrators have been away from the classroom long enough to forget its daily realities. Teachers are expected to meet increasingly higher standards, complete mountains of paperwork, manage student behavior, communicate with parents, and raise academic performance, all while receiving less support than ever.
Perhaps most frustrating is the lack of accountability. Teachers are held responsible for student outcomes, yet parents and students are often held to few expectations of their own. Education succeeds only when teachers, administrators, parents, and students share responsibility.
There are many outstanding administrators who stand beside their teachers every day, but that should be the standard rather than the exception. If we truly believe education is the foundation of strong communities, then our actions must reflect that belief. Competitive salaries, supportive leadership, and shared accountability are not luxuries, they are essential.
Until we value educators with more than words, we will continue to wonder why fewer talented individuals choose one of America’s most important professions. Real change requires states to adopt funding models that demonstrate a genuine commitment to the value of education.
Thought for the Week: “When we value educators, we strengthen the future for everyone.” — Jack Welch
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.