Oklahoma teacher says upcoming election is a factor for educators to leave the classroom

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — A new statewide survey shows the impact of the teacher shortage, with record high vacancies in Oklahoma school districts

Schools reported over a thousand empty positions this school year, which is the highest number in the Oklahoma State School Board Association's survey history.

Many educators are at a crossroads.

After struggling with how to teach during a pandemic and navigating the political climate in our state over book bans and curriculum, many teachers have felt disrespected.

Paula Morris has been teaching in the Duncan School District for nearly twenty years.

"I honestly had no intention of ever leaving education," Morris said. "I had planned on retiring here at Duncan Public Schools because it was the first place I had worked."

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After weighing some of the factors this school year though, she decided to leave the classroom.

"I looked at the money factor, and I can make a lot more money leaving education," Morris said.

OSSBA's survey finds that 25% of school districts increased teacher pay.

Teachers in districts that saw a raise could have other reasons for leaving the industry.

"I was just feeling that I was not being as supported maybe at a state level as well as at a local level," Morris said.

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The report points to the lack of increased funding through the state education budget this year, which has forced administrators to utilize pandemic relief funds to try and recruit and retain teachers.

Morris said retaining teachers might depend on what happens in November.

"A lot of that is dependent on the election that is coming up," Morris said. "We feel like if our Governor doesn't change and if Ryan Walters ends up in education as our superintendent for the state, a lot is going to change. And I think you're going to see a lot of people leave."

Recent legislation has left many teachers fearful of their jobs, and feeling like they're walking on eggshells with certain lessons and conversations.

"Having oversight on us instead of just letting us get in the classroom and teach, that's a huge factor," Morris said. "I mean teachers are professionals. They've been educated; they've been trained."

The annual survey included 328 districts, and the results are leaving educators concerned.

Nearly 70% of school administrators say the teacher hiring market is worse than a year ago.

With so many vacancies, the crisis in the classroom continues.

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