Teacher turnover gives recent grads opportunities in education
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Teacher turnover has reached an all-time high post-pandemic. According to USA Today, turnover in the 2021-22 school year was 10%. Going into the 2022-23 year, it bumped to 16% nationally.
The turnover rate for elementary teachers is 37% higher than the average.
While this is concerning on many levels, it also offers opportunities for new graduates with degrees in education.
Two recently graduated young women found jobs in education in Minot the semester following their graduation.
Recently graduated from Minot State University, education major Hailey Mirano works both a part-time job in childcare as well as subbing full time in her first semester post grad.
"I think being in a teaching position so quickly after being a student is very different," Mirano said. "You don't really get taught how to handle some of the things you experience as an elementary teacher. No one tells you what you’re supposed to do if a student throws a chair at you or hits you. We don’t really get told how to deal with that. The behavior issues popping up in more recent generations is something we aren't taught how to deal with."
Minot State University graduate and student-athlete Sophie Cronin feels similarly. Younger and much smaller than some of her co-workers, she finds some students have a hard time understanding that she is in a teaching role.
"Although I think due to my height that I may not be as intimidating, if that makes sense. But that’s something you kind of learn by trial and error is how you get students to respect your position and I think I do a good job of speaking to them sternly if I have to," Cronin said. "I think the biggest thing is being the new hire. Since I just started, I think I have a hard time advocating for myself. Even though I just completed my degree and I know what to do, I think it’s harder to feel like you’re allowed to take control of a situation if you’re not only a new hire but a new hire just out of college."
A common realization both women have had early in their career is the difference between setting boundaries between different generations of teachers as well as students.
"I think it is very different depending on the teacher and depending on the student," Cronin said. "I think the younger kids get away with, for the lack of a better term, behaviors they shouldn't. Since they are going through transitions and changes, and since they are so young, the boundaries they push, they are allowed to push to some extent. The problem that I think arises from that is that as they get older and different teachers are setting certain boundaries, it's hard for them to understand why they'd get in trouble for a behavior that has been allowed for years."
Despite the struggles both women have faced, both Mirano and Cronin see their futures in education.
"I do love being in education, ” Cronin said. "I want to be a physical education teacher for a few years, but I'd love to eventually move into administration. The thing that is most rewarding to me is seeing the differences you make in kids’ lives, especially kids who are struggling. Whether you specifically impacted them or not, seeing what education can do for them is so rewarding."
Being able to see kids grow and change is something both Cronin and Mirano find to be the most rewarding thing about being an educator.
"I've always loved being around kids. Talking to kids for five minutes just changes my day for the better," Mirano said. "I can definitely see myself doing this to retirement. As hard as it can be, seeing it all click for students and seeing the joy it brings them to learn something is so rewarding."