Teacher Survey Reveals Concerns about Salaries, Class Sizes, and School Safety
A recent survey conducted by NBC6 and Telemundo 51 has shed light on the concerns of teachers in South Florida. The survey, which received nearly 1,000 responses from educators, found that a significant number of teachers are worried about their salaries, class sizes, and the overall safety of schools.
Teachers’ Concerns about the Profession
Karla Hernandez-Mats, president of United Teachers of Dade, shared her thoughts on the survey, stating, "As an educator and as a person that deals with schools on a daily basis, we know when we have the pulse of what our teachers are feeling. But it’s great to talk about this in a broader sense and make sure that the community also understands how we feel." Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, echoed this sentiment, "They love our students, but they don’t want to leave this profession. The cost of living is extremely high, and our pay is not meeting the needs of being able to afford to live."
Salary and Cost of Living
The survey found that 98% of teachers surveyed worry about keeping up with the cost of living in South Florida. This concern is contributing to staffing shortages, with both union leaders citing it as a major issue. "We do know that when there is a shortage of teachers, that is going to increase class size," said Hernandez-Mats. "It really creates a dynamic that’s not positive for the educator who wants to come into the classroom and it’s making it very difficult to recruit and retain qualified people."
School Safety and Staffing Shortages
Miami-Dade Public Schools reported 168 teacher vacancies at the beginning of the school year, and Broward reported 148. Both districts stated that these numbers were historically low. However, 63% of the teachers who participated in the survey said there was not enough staff in their schools. "The district is trying its best to deploy, whether it’s administrators, people who have been teaching and have a teaching license but are working in other aspects of education, to make sure that there is a certified teacher in front of students and that students are getting the education that they need," said Hernandez-Mats.
Conclusion
The survey highlights the challenges faced by teachers in South Florida, from salaries to class sizes to school safety. While there is no easy solution to address these concerns, it is crucial for educators to have a platform to express their feelings and for the community to understand their experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the purpose of the teacher survey?
- The survey aimed to gauge the concerns of teachers in South Florida and provide a platform for educators to express their feelings.
- What were the top concerns of teachers surveyed?
- Salary, class sizes, and school safety were the top concerns of teachers surveyed.
- What are the reasons for staffing shortages?
- The cost of living and lack of sufficient salaries are contributing factors to staffing shortages in South Florida.
- What is being done to address the issues raised by the survey?
- School districts are working to deploy additional staff, including administrators and teachers, to address the shortage and ensure a positive learning environment for students.
