Pandemic, workload, burnout pushes Michigan teacher shortage over the edge. Who will replace them?
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Michigan schools are facing more early retirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing districts to look for innovative ways to lure young teachers into job openings. (Alie Skowronski/mlive.com)Alie Skowronski | The Ann Arbor News
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A real desire to help kids learn.
In just a couple years, Helser has transitioned from artist in residence at the Shangyuan Museum of Fine Art in Beijing, China, to teaching students at Henry Ford College while also completing his student teaching through Eastern Michigan University.
“Basically, I fell in love with kids,” Helser said.
‘Transformational’ housing, new school brings hope to Grand Rapids neighborhood
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Martin and Nancy Yado have long dreamed of owning a home.
But the Grand Rapids couple faced financial challenges, and instead spent years raising their four children in apartments or while doubled up with family.
Often, it’s meant little room and no privacy. Once, when staying with Nancy’s parents, they shared a room with their two daughters, and the home had just one bathroom and little space for their children’s clothes, toys and other belongings.
“It was really, really crowded,” Nancy Yado said. “It was my parent’s home, and my younger brother lived there with his girlfriend as well. It was a lot of people for one household.”
Pandemic worsening Michigan s teacher shortage
Retirements increased 44% between August and February
and last updated 2021-04-21 19:26:02-04
WXMI â Teacher shortages were already an issue in Michigan pre-pandemic, but exhaust from a year of coronavirus and virtual learning have skyrocketed educator retirements, exacerbating an already overwhelming problem for public, private and charter schools.
âNot just for teachers but for educators in general,â said Tina Kerr, executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators. âWe have a staffing shortage with para-pros, bus drivers, administrators. The pandemic just exacerbated it; we already had a critical issue in the state.â
According to ChalkBeat, Michigan teacher retirements between this past August and February increased 44% compared to the same time period in 2019-2020. It represents just shy of 800 educators.
What s being done to address the teacher shortage in Michigan
and last updated 2021-04-21 05:41:42-04
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â Itâs no secret that thereâs a critical teacher shortage in the state of Michigan, itâs a problem that has been growing for years.
Wendy Winston is an Algebra teacher in the Grand Rapids Public School District and she says her students are not interested in becoming educators.
âIf you survey them and ask them, you know, what do you want to do when you grow up? Very few of them are going to answer that they would like to be a teacher when they grow up. And when you ask them why? They ll kind of look at you funny and say that they see how we re treated and how hard we work and how little respect and reward we get for that hard work,â said Winston.
GRPS Changes Date Of Expanded In-Person Learning Starting
A week or so ago Grand Rapids Public schools announced that they were going to expand their hybrid in-person learning for students in K-8th grade on April 12th, but on Wednesday they announced they’ll be moving that date until April 19th. Students in Grades 9-12 as well as preschool and ECSE will keep the same learning schedule as they’ve been before spring break.
Currently, students are in class 2 days of the week and doing virtual learning the other days. The expanded model will see students in class 4 days each week.