The Teacher Shortage Crisis

By: Trina English Jessica Martin Amanda Werner
  • Summary

  • Even before the pandemic lock-downs, American teachers from sea to shining sea reported a critical shortage of teachers within their ranks, and have watched in horror at the crippling levels of greed, arrogance, apathy, and ignorance at every level of K-12 educational governance.While embattled teachers have continued to try in vain to draw attention to the issues, our leaders have failed to acknowledge the problems at all. But since covid, the nation’s teachers have borne witness to a break neck hastening pace of this downward spiral–and a total avoidance of a conversation from our leaders.


    This a-political podcast, created and produced exclusively by teachers, gets into the nitty gritty details of why teachers are leaving the profession in droves, and uncovers huge contributing structural problems baked into the teaching profession which are not discussed or understood even within the K-12 educational world, which also explain why so much of what is done in K-12 is ineffective. These desperate, passionate, highly qualified teachers use this podcast series to insert teachers forcefully into the national conversation about the critical issues plaguing K-12 education, because no one else was letting them in–a fact which belies a central thesis about the roots of the problems discussed throughout the episodes. Listeners will be gripped by the reality that without substantial reforms which empower teachers to lead the work, the inevitable result is a collapse of our very ability to effectively self-govern–a process which they argue is already well underway.


    Listen as they describe the problems in teacher pay, teacher preparation requirements, special education, climate and culture, reading instruction, the false promise of existing DEI based frameworks in K-12, and the problems inherent in outsourced canned curriculums. Become a part of the solution as they outline a framework to authentically fix these problems, which require all hands on deck from both inside and outside of K-12 education.


    © 2024 The Teacher Shortage Crisis
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Episodes
  • 16. Bizzaro Scenarios: Puny Puns, Runaway Spit, and Superintendents Who Misplace Millions
    Nov 3 2024

    In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, hosts Amanda Werner, Jessica Martin, and Trina English introduce their new comedic segment, 'Bizarro Scenarios,' to share funny, weird, and sometimes tragic stories from K-12 education. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!

    They share humorous anecdotes about misunderstandings with students and the challenges of using humor in the classroom. The episode also delves into more serious topics, like the misappropriation of funds by school superintendents and its impact on teachers and students. The hosts invite listeners to submit their own bizarre stories and join them in their mission to save public education.

    00:00 Introduction to the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast
    01:10 Introducing Bizarro Scenarios
    04:29 First Bizarro Scenario: The Punny Misunderstanding
    07:35 Teacher Humor Gone Wrong
    11:35 Amanda's Awkward Classroom Moment
    16:12 Weird Stuff Kids Say
    19:56 Awkward Icebreakers and Funny Classroom Moments
    21:38 A Tragic Story: School District Mismanagement
    22:38 The Fallout: Teacher Cuts and Budget Issues
    26:03 Corruption in K-12 Leadership
    28:39 Misappropriation of Funds and Its Impact
    31:57 The Chromebook Conundrum
    36:15 Wrapping Up: Call to Action


    Visit teachershortagecrisis.com to join the movement of teachers speaking up about the mess in K-12 Education in the United States.

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    39 mins
  • 15. Reading Instruction in the US Is a Mess!
    Oct 27 2024

    Title: Reading Instruction is a MESS in the US

    Summary:

    In a candid conversation, Trina and Jess discuss the significant challenges facing reading instruction in the United States. The discussion touches upon the struggles both have encountered in teaching reading, the flawed methodologies like the queuing method and whole language approach, and systemic issues in the educational framework. Jess shares her frustrations with a strict, ineffective curriculum that has led her to leave a previous school. They both emphasize the importance of phonics while acknowledging that a balanced approach is crucial for effective reading instruction.

    Trina highlights the poor literacy rates in the U.S., referencing her own struggles in getting data and the alarming findings from sources like the CIA World Factbook and the U.S. Department of Education, which suggests that the country may have a literacy rate as low as 64%. They discuss the impact of socioeconomic factors, the importance of veteran teacher knowledge, and the need for meaningful investments in teacher support rather than over-reliance on pre-packaged curriculums.

    Throughout the discussion, they advocate for the creation of highly paid veteran reading teachers who can support new teachers, emphasizing the need for a professional designation recognizing teacher leaders. They conclude with a call to action, inviting listeners to sign a petition advocating for these necessary changes in the education system.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup
    02:53 Teaching Experiences in Oakland
    04:15 Understanding Reading and Language Acquisition
    05:17 The History of Written Language
    06:44 Challenges of Teaching Reading
    24:29 Comparing Literacy Across Cultures
    29:29 Addressing Literacy Issues in the U.S.
    38:08 The Challenges of Teaching Reading
    38:39 The Impact of Hiring New Teachers
    40:42 Economic Factors Affecting Education
    42:12 The Decline in Literacy Rates
    47:39 The Debate Over Reading Instruction Methods
    56:11 Proposed Solutions for Improving Reading Education
    56:59 The Importance of Veteran Teachers
    01:09:45 Conclusion and Call to Action

    Visit teachershortagecrisis.com to join the movement of teachers speaking up about the mess in K-12 Education in the United States.

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • 14. First Hand Accounts: The Reality Struggling Readers Face in the U.S. Public Education System
    Oct 20 2024

    In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, the focus is on the oppressive nature of the U.S. educational system, particularly for individuals with learning disabilities. The host interviews Shelly Gonzalez, who shares her journey of navigating school with a reading disability. Shelly discusses the emotional challenges, lack of adequate support from the educational system, and the impact on her family. The narrative covers personal experiences of being moved to lower-level classes, the role of supportive art teachers, and struggles with self-esteem. Additionally, Shelly reflects on her career choices, from attending a technical school to joining a male-dominated welding profession and ultimately working in law enforcement. The episode underscores the need for systemic reforms, early reading instruction, and the importance of personal support and resilience. It also highlights the association between dyslexia, creativity, and other learning challenges, while offering valuable insights and advice for teachers, parents, and students.

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast's Mission
    00:52 Shelly's Early Struggles with Reading
    02:06 Navigating School with a Learning Disability
    08:20 Shelly's Middle School Challenges
    11:06 High School and Special Education
    23:37 Impact on Self-Esteem and Career Choices
    25:40 Post-High School Decisions and Support
    28:15 Financial Struggles and Debt
    28:41 Welding Career Path
    28:55 Reading Challenges and Dyslexia
    30:32 Parenting Fears and Dyslexia
    32:57 Acceptance and Adaptation
    36:06 Overcoming Educational Hurdles
    39:52 Support Systems and Encouragement
    44:34 Law Enforcement Career
    48:59 Art and Creativity
    50:08 Reflecting on Personal Growth
    51:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Visit: teachershortagecrisis.com to contact us and learn more!

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    55 mins

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