Here’s a good article explaining the challenges science teachers face and the high turnover in the field.
With very little experience behind her [Melissa Guinta] and limited resources at her disposal, many science teachers would buckle under the pressure of corralling a group of rowdy 9th, 10th and 11th graders and abandon the profession.
Guinta was recently accepted to participate in the National Science Teacher’s Association’s New Science Teacher Academy, a program which aims to keep science teachers in the profession by equipping them with strategies to survive in the classroom.
“It’s really a battle everyday to try to teach the kids.” Guinta said. “They learn if I push them to learn. Everyday you’re pushing against this wall and its exhausting.”
…
Many science majors who enter the teaching profession leave within a matter of a few years for high-wage jobs in fields like engineering.
The revolving door that science teachers pass through is a cycle the association is trying to curb. While the more experienced science teachers leave the profession for better opportunities, a new wave of fledgling science teacher take their place.
“One of our goals is to try to keep Science Teachers in the profession,” said Paul Tingler, project manager for the academy. “Teachers today are asked to do an extremely difficult job with limited resources.”
Here’s a link to the New Science Teacher Academy.
According to NPR, our teachers are getting old,younger teachers are in demand.This makes it hard for school boards to fire science teachers for any missconduct,such as teaching Creationism.
Hey Jonathan,
Bite your tongue! Old indeed! 🙂
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18583812
Record Number of Teachers Set to Retire
NPR.org, January 31, 2008 · Teachers are leaving their profession in record numbers, especially at the high-school level, according to study released Thursday.
Some 40 percent of the nation’s classroom teachers are now 50 years or older and an unprecedented number of them will likely retire in the next five years, the study by the National Center for Education Information said.
Sorry Kathy,but I said “old” which does not include a young lady such as yourself.
Thanks for bringing this up, Brandon. NSTA has oodles of resources!
That scenario applies to my mom, dad and step-mom (all FL high school teachers over 50)
My dad is trying to retire in a year or two.
My mom is trying to hold on another 5, but often tells me she doesn’t know if she’ll stay that long.