Teacher Tea
Teacher Solidarity: Why We Should Care
Teachers are generally invested in the fate of their unemployed colleagues. It's a matter of professional solidarity. Teachers are part of a community, and we know how important it is to support each other, especially during difficult times. And the number of unemployed teachers can have a negative impact on the quality of education across the board. This might seem unlikely given the current teacher shortage, but if there are fewer qualified teachers put to work, it means larger class sizes and fewer resources. The issues unique to unemployed teachers are often a reflection of larger problems in the education system, and by advocating for their colleagues, teachers can address these systemic issues and improve the overall quality of education.
If teachers find themselves out of work, how can they transfer their skills to other fields or industries? How can they explore other opportunities and use their professional experience?
Jamie Bolker describes her involuntary experience outside of the profession in “Life as a Disposable Academic,” in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Bolker, a former tenure-track English professor at MacMurray College, describes life in the academic job market, along with the challenges she has faced since her college's closure. Despite her experience and education, Bolker has found it difficult to find a stable and fulfilling job outside of academia. She has struggled with financial instability, health problems, and feelings of hopelessness. Bolker also criticizes the current economic climate in higher education, which she believes is detrimental to many young academics.