How Teachers Feel About the Profession

by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Many educators and decision makers believe that good teachers are the key to student achievement. Public Agenda and Learning Point Associates questioned how teachers feel about their profession.

Research with 900 teachers and almost 100 questions, revealed three broad categories investigators labeled Disheartened, Contented and Idealistic.

The Disheartened feel that “teaching is so demanding, it’s a wonder more teachers don’t burn out.” Forty percent are K-12 teachers, more than half teach in low income schools, they’ve been teaching longer and are older than the Idealists.

In the Contented group, 37% are veterans with graduate degrees, almost all have been teaching more than 10 years, two thirds in middle income or affluent schools. They view teaching as a lifetime career.
 
Twenty-three percent are Idealists, more than half are 32 and under, teach in elementary schools and have the strongest sense of mission. While they don’t intend to stay in the classroom, they plan to stay in education.

More than the others, Idealists believe in their kids--that they can make it to college if they choose.