Kansas teachers were already leaving the profession before 2020, but the pandemic accelerated that exodus. The reasons include educators that decided to retire early and others because of what they see as toxic work conditions brought on by COVID-19.
The departure rate of teachers has left school districts scrambling to fill open positions. We ask what is being done to meet the needs of teachers and to attract educators to Kansas schools and retain them.
- Mischel Miller, director of Teacher Licensure and Accreditation at the Kansas State Department of Education
- Sherri Schwanz, president of the Kansas National Education Association
