Up To Date

Kansas struggles to find and keep teachers

By Steve Kraske,

Published January 21, 2022 at 4:29 PM CST

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Low wages and high stress have propelled educators to leave the profession.

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

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Up To Date Podcast Kansas education school teachers teacher shortage Kansas State Department of Education Kansas National Education Association

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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Eleanor Nash

Eleanor Nash is an intern for KCUR's Up To Date. You can reach her at enash@kcur.org

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