State Educator and Parent Voices
Michigan’s students who are the most underserved face the highest rates of inexperienced teachers, teachers who have emergency or temporary credentials, and educators who are teaching classes that are not in their field of expertise, according to Closing the Opportunity Divide: Addressing Michigan’s Teacher Shortage Problem for Students Most in Need by EdTrust-Midwest.
To address the crisis and provide a roadmap for policymakers, the report includes five key priorities to address Michigan’s inequitable teacher shortage problem. EdTrust-Midwest is also launching a new campaign called #TeachersWeNeed to uplift the voices of educators, parents, and students across the state. The goal is for Michigan to become a Top 10 state for education, which has long been one of EdTrust-Midwest’s top priorities.
Are you a teacher, parent or principal and would like to share your feedback, submit your voice here!
“Everyone needs a teacher, just like they need a doctor. Let’s value and respect our educators for the sake of the future of this country. ”
Read moreBy: Yara Barbosa K-12 educator, Grand Rapids, MIExperienced teachers bring so many strengths that we need to KEEP in our classrooms so our students can have th…
“Almost every teacher at my school has some kind of side gig to supplement their income.”
Read moreBy: Elizabeth ToyeK-12 educator, Southeastern, MIAs a high school teacher in southeastern Michigan, educator shortages have directly impacted my ability to do …
“We have more teachers leaving the profession than wanting to become a teacher, especially in special education”
Read moreBy: Katherine Grass K-12 educator, Lansing, MII am a first-grade teacher and have seen a huge change in the profession over the last 20 years. When I applied …
“I love teaching, I’m passionate about it and I believe that it is the most important job in the world.”
Read moreBy: Kristi Trickey Highschool Language Arts Teacher, Southeastern, MI As a first-year teacher in Michigan, I made roughly $32,000. When you factor in taxes an…
“I think that when we talk about teacher shortages, we often talk about money or compensation, but it goes way deeper than that.”
Read moreBy: Fredericka Brown Parent, Grand Rapids, MI I am a parent of the GRPS public school system in Grand Rapids MI. I am also certified as a preschool teacher as…
