More Than 60% of Nation’s Educators Considering Leaving the Profession Due in Part to New Challenges Related to Staffing Shortages, Says Horace Mann Study
01 Février 2023 - 3:00PM
Business Wire
Impact on student learning and work environment
compounding long-standing educator frustrations with compensation
and respect
More than 60% of public K-12 educators say they are considering
leaving teaching, according to a February 2023 Horace Mann
Educators Corporation (NYSE: HMN) report. Their decisions are being
driven by a combination of staffing shortages, stress and financial
worry.
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Infographic: More than 60% of public K-12
educators say they are considering leaving teaching, according to a
February 2023 Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) report.
Their decisions are being driven by a combination of staffing
shortages, stress and financial worry. The report, Checks and
Balance: How financial stress and heavier workloads are
accelerating the teacher shortage, shares insights from more than
500 K-12 educators surveyed about the current educational climate
and what challenges educators are facing.
www.horacemann.com/balance
The report, Checks and Balance: How financial stress and heavier
workloads are accelerating the teacher shortage, shares insights
from more than 500 K-12 educators surveyed about the current
educational climate and what challenges educators are facing. Among
the findings:
- 30% of educators noted significant teacher shortages in their
districts, while 47% noted significant staff shortages
- Roughly 80% of educators surveyed said the impact of
understaffing on both students and teachers is either moderate or
severe
- 30% of educators said they plan to leave the profession within
the next three years, while another 33% are considering it
“For many teachers, the profession is a calling. They love
making an impact on students and seeing them succeed, but their
capacity to take on more work is at a breaking point,” said Horace
Mann National Business Solutions Executive Kelly Ruwe. “The
pandemic exacerbated the teacher shortage, and remaining staff are
taking on extra responsibilities without additional compensation.
Often this means elimination of their planning time, other students
parsed out to their classrooms when another teacher calls in sick,
or even vacuuming their own rooms due to a lack of custodial staff.
This negatively impacts both teacher morale and student
learning.”
The challenges of chronic school understaffing may be the
tipping point for many educators who have for years felt overworked
and underappreciated. In addition, 77% of public school educators
are women, who have historically faced more challenges to financial
security. Many private sector job opportunities offer higher pay,
fewer hours and less stress. But educators did identify a few
changes that would make them more likely to stay:
- 57% - a better salary
- 42% - better parent and community support
- 41% - more supportive school or district leadership
- 36% - smaller class sizes
- 35% - safer work environment
- 29% - better retirement benefits
- 27% - feeling more financially secure
- 25% - better healthcare and protection benefits
“We know many educators still have a passion for teaching but
are questioning whether it is worth it in the current climate.
Administrators are facing numerous challenges and pressures as
well; while a higher salary can be a difficult item to provide,
there are other solutions administrators can offer,” added Ruwe.
“School districts can do more to provide financial wellness
resources and support. They can enhance benefit packages to provide
more protection coverage to all school employees. And they can use
mentoring and recognition programs to help retain teachers and
strengthen a school’s culture.”
About Horace Mann
Horace Mann Educators Corporation is the largest financial
services company focused on helping America’s educators and others
who serve the community achieve lifelong financial success. The
company offers individual and group insurance and financial
solutions tailored to the needs of the educator community. Founded
by Educators for Educators® in 1945, the company is headquartered
in Springfield, Illinois. For more information, visit
horacemann.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230201005437/en/
Media contact:
Michelle Eccles Public Relations Manager 217.788.5394
michelle.eccles@horacemann.com
Investor contact:
Heather J. Wietzel Vice President, Investor Relations and
Enterprise Communications 217.788.5144
investorrelations@horacemann.com
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