Survey reveals teacher satisfaction decreasing
March 23, 2012
Teaching is a profession that remains popular with mothers who are looking for a career that will help them achieve a good work-life balance. After all, many choose to become teachers because the job allows them to work when their children are in school and to be home when they are home, such as on holidays and during the summer.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers is expected to grow by 13 percent until 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, job opportunities vary by location and may be more plentiful for those who teach in-demand subjects such as math, science and bilingual education.
While the profession remains a popular one, a new survey reveals that many teachers are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their jobs.
The Met Life study, conducted by Harris Interactive, polled more than 1,000 kindergarten through 12th grade public school teachers in the United States.
Less than half (44 percent) classified themselves as very satisfied with their jobs. The last time this survey was conducted, in 2009, 59 percent said they were very satisfied.
Economic challenges and budget cuts may be contributing to the fact that many teachers feel dissatisfied, as the survey revealed that 34 percent feel that their job is not secure. Layoffs of teachers, staff and parent/community liaisons occurred last year in the schools of two-thirds (66 percent) of teachers and three-quarters (76 percent) of teachers have experienced budget cuts in their schools in the last 12 months.
In addition, 65 percent of teachers said that their salaries are not fair for the work they do.
The BLS reports that in 2008 the median annual wages of kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers ranged from $47,100 to $51,180 per year.
However, those with a master's degree may increase their earning potential.
Mothers who want to go back to school on a full or part-time basis to get a bachelor's degree or master's degree to pursue a job in education should know that they can utilize grants for parents and college scholarships to help offset the costs.
The good news for those who want to be teachers is that the survey revealed that there is strong support for the job educators do. More than three-quarters (77 percent) of teachers said that they are treated as respected professionals in their communities.
