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Nationwide numbers for the current teacher shortage are still being calculated, however, Covid-19 might be exacerbating the teacher shortage, say experts studying the issue. (Photo: Crixells Matthews/VPM News)
For former fifth grade teacher Brandy Samberg, the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t the root cause of her decision to leave the teaching profession after six years, but it did help push her out the door.
“I left in the long run because of COVID,” Samberg says. “Just with concerns of my own kids being in virtual school and needing that assistance, especially with my girls starting kindergarten at the same time. I knew from my experience and then [from] virtually teaching last year, it made work life balance really impossible.”