The number of the week is ...

... 27 percent. That's the percentage of Florida teachers surveyed by the Department of Education who say they're likely to quit the profession within the next five years. And they're not all retiring. Nearly half of the group (49 percent) blamed poor pay as the culprit, while one in five pointed to a lack of support from their school or district. To see the full results, click here.

This is the second report in recent weeks to look at teacher job satisfaction and come back with dim results. We reported on the first here. The responses have caused state Education officials to take a closer look at what they can do to keep teachers in Florida schools. (We sure need them, especially with the class-size amendment moving to the classroom level next year.) The State Board of Education heard two recommendations last week: Increase opportunties for raises, and create better methods to help new teachers at the school and district level. To review the DOE's full presentation to the State Board, click here.

So what about it? Teachers, are you happy and staying or peeved and leaving? Parents, what should we make of the fact that nearly one of every three teachers plans to stop teaching by 2012?

Comments

[John]

Count me as one who is leaving next year. I have already retired from teaching and came back for 6 years. 36 years is enough! The pay is not that bad I could have made more if I had wanted to. But, I enjoy what I teach and I used to enjoy the students. Too many of the students just do not care enough about what I am teaching them so that I feel extremely frustrated. The class size amendment will help some but, teaching an extra class will not. Every other time I taught 6 classes I received overtime pay, now I won't? I will just collect 48% of my base pay and walk out quietly.

[Lee]

I am currently deciding whether I should return to a classroom or not. I love teaching. I love kids and getting them hooked on books is wonderful. I miss it. A lot.

But, I'm making the same money working between 20 and 30 hours a week. No homework. No stress. Seriously. Of the 20-30 hours I'm at the 'office' I spend five or six hours socializing, eating, having coffee or making a personal phone call.

It may sound as if I'm a slacker, but the boss in this 'private industry' office setting is pleased as punch with my output! In fact, he lauds that I save him money. He spends 1/2 the money on me as he would contracting out my work.

I will work nearly three times the hours as a teacher and I won't have a coffee pot, a water cooler, breakfast meetings with the staff or any time to make personal phone calls, pay my bills or share vacation stories.

Yet, I'm still thinking of returning to the classroom. Am I dumb? Don't answer that.

[PreviousTeacher]

As a former teacher of Pinellas county schools, I can relate to all the comments so far. Corporate America can certainly use those dedicated teachers --- I've done that now for 15 years --- and there are fewer risks going to work, I'm treated like an adult, and I have the respect of my co-workers. As a parent of a college student who graduated from a local high school, I can say that our teachers deserve triple the pay including overtime, combat pay and extra bonuses for going beyond the call of duty. I owe a debt of gratitude to a very special teacher who helped my daughter get through her teen years safely (with her guidance)getting excellent grades while demonstrating her talents. As far as getting mixed messages from administrators, why wouldn't the teachers who feel little support from their management team want to go elsewhere so they can be respected and appreciated?

Yes, we're all in it for the "kids" and "teens" whether a parent, teacher, administrator or school volunteer. But please pay attention to the leadership skills and management training needed for ALL staff and administration. They need conflict resolution, team building and communication skills just as much as corporate America. Students often show their maturity and solution building skills more than the adults. Empower them... interview them... they are our future. Thanks for the opportunity to vent. I'll volunteer, but I won't go back into "the system" as a teacher without a paradigm change of the status quo.