Texas, and all of America, is facing a huge problem in our schools. School districts across the country are facing major teacher and substitute shortages. 

Most people agree that teachers don’t get paid enough because it’s a unique job that comes with a lot of work and responsibility. Many teachers have left their school districts to work in different jobs because they know that they can make more money in a different profession. Gov. Greg Abbott announced last month that he will be working with an educational task force to find solutions for the shortages. The original group contained 28 people, all administrators and superintendents, except for two teachers. People spoke out about how the group claims they are going to help teachers but Texas only chose two to listen to. Luckily the Texas education Agency (TEA) responded by adding 24 teachers to the task force to ensure that teachers had proper representation. 

During COVID, teachers were thrown into new positions, took on new requirements, and many had no experience teaching online. It made their job even more difficult. Quarantine was important to slowing the spread but some believe that with that kind of stress and being forced to adapt and learn a completely new way to teach deserves more pay. 

Rural and less wealthy communities are struggling the hardest. Rural districts may not have as much money or opportunities for teachers so they go somewhere that can provide more. They also don’t have as much reach and teachers nearby. 

The Texas government is currently trying to make it easier for people to become teachers and debating about paying teachers higher wages.