TEXAS, USA — While summers off from work might sound like a positive some, there are also a number of negative aspects to working as a teacher, according to teachers themselves.
This spring, 840 Texas teachers completed a survey that revealed approximately 65% of them thought about leaving education altogether.
The results follow an increased trend in recent years. The Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) survey from 2022 showed roughly 70% of teachers across the state considered quitting their jobs. These are the highest numbers reported since the review process began more than 40 years ago.
According to the study, conducted for TSTA by faculty at Sam Houston State University, part of the reason for the shift is pay. During the 2023-2024 school year, teachers reported that they did not receive raises, nor did districts have access to state funding.
On average, Texas teachers made $62,463, roughly $9,000 less than the country's average of approximately $71,000. During the school year, they also spent nearly $900 of their personal funds on school supplies and more than $400 on health insurance.
Additionally, many had to work 13.5 hours weekly at other jobs and more than half of the surveyed teachers (52%) also held summer jobs.
TSTA states that the lack of pay boosts come as a result of Gov. Greg Abbott's push for school vouchers, which, if approved, would allocate public school funds to go towards private school tuition fees.
"Gov. Greg Abbott and his legislative allies have spent several years undermining the morale and reputations of teachers with inadequate school funding, proposed book bans, attacks on classroom diversity and laws imposing political restrictions on what teachers can teach," TSTA President Ovidia Molina said.
More than half of the surveyed teachers felt strongly that Texas leaders did not have a positive opinion of them. Meanwhile, 4% believed legislators did show favorable opinions towards teachers.