Caption by Ashmar Mandou

Recently, the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the largest education organization in Illinois, shared date from a Red for Ed membership poll showing nearly 60 percent of teachers, higher education professors and education support staff are considering leaving the profession. This news comes amid a critical teacher and support staff shortage both in Illinois and nationwide.  “This data should set off massive alarm bells for parents, students and community members. We are in a dire situation with teacher and support staff shortages. We know districts cannot attract and retain enough talented adults to work with our students,” IEA President Al Llorens said. The data show:

– Ninety-four percent of IEA members work additional hours outside their contractual workday.

– Ninety-seven percent spend their own money on supplies for their students and classrooms, with one in four educators spending at least $500 on things like pencils, furniture and hygiene products.

– Fifty-nine percent are considering leaving the profession.

The top reasons educators give for considering leaving are as follows:

– Sixty-five percent say they are not earning enough money;

– Sixty-five percent say there is a lack of respect for the profession;

– Sixty-two percent say their workload is increasing.

“The biggest reasons educators want to leave is a lack of respect, an increasing workload and money. Just think about that for a second. Would you want to pour your heart and soul into a job where you’re not appreciated and constantly being asked to do more for less money? Probably not,” Llorens said.