The Teacher Shortage Mess
Episodes Coming Soon!
The Teacher Shortage Mess: An Introduction
In this episode, host, Trina English, is interviewed by fellow co-host, Manuwella Allen (a 27 year teaching veteran) to introduce, “The Teacher Shortage Mess.” The episode addresses the multifaceted issues within the American K-12 education system, focusing on the severe teacher shortage crisis. Hosted by Trina and new co-host Manuel Allen (Manny), the discussion highlights how low literacy rates and inadequate teacher preparation impact educational quality. Notable contributions include Dr. Paul Bruno's research on the teacher shortage, emphasizing the lack of consistent data reporting across districts and the nuances of the crisis. The conversation underscores the necessity of a K-12 Educator Governing Board to standardize reporting and empower teachers to lead their profession. The episode concludes by urging viewers to support their petition advocating for this governing board, aiming to foster significant educational reforms.
The Teacher Shortage Mess: Where Did All the Teachers Go?
In this episode, host, Trina English, dives into the complexities of the teacher shortage crisis in the United States. Using AI and a scholarly article by Drs. Tuan Nguyen, Chan Lam, and Paul Bruno as reference points, the discussion touches on teacher job satisfaction, the dangers of accepting simplistic answers, and the lack of comprehensive data on teacher vacancies. Trina also highlights the uneven distribution of teacher shortages across subject areas and socioeconomic demographics, criticizing current recruitment practices and suggesting the establishment of a national professional teacher workforce. The episode concludes with reflections on how systemic issues in K-12 education impact both teachers and students.
The Teacher Shortage Mess: An Interview with Dr. Paul Bruno
IIn this episode, Trina introduces a continuation podcast discussing the teacher shortagage mess with Dr. Paul Bruno, who co-authored an article attempting to quantify the problem. The discussion touches on the complexity and messiness of the data surrounding teacher shortages due to local control, where each district operates independently with little oversight. Dr. Bruno challenges the terms 'shortage' and 'crisis,' arguing that the data shows more teachers than ever, though they might not be in traditional classrooms. He also voices concerns about the press misrepresenting the issue, potentially leading to political agendas that dismantle public education. Trina and Dr. Bruno further discuss the difficulties of measuring the impact of teacher shortages on student outcomes and reflect on how specialized roles and new teachers affect classroom dynamics and effectiveness. The conversation concludes with insights into the need for targeted solutions, the limitations of current data, and the potential benefits of differential pay and elevating teacher leadership to address the crisis.