By Trimmel Gomes
Georgia teachers and educators across the country are stressed, working second jobs and thinking about quitting, according to a new survey from the American Federation of Teachers.
The union polled more than 2,000 members and found nearly two-thirds rate their weekly stress at seven or higher on a 10-point scale. Around 31% said they are likely to leave teaching in the next year.
Melissa Cropper, vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the findings reflect what teachers across the country are experiencing.
“The survey is showing that the Trump policies are having a negative impact on teachers. Sixty-one percent described the administration’s impact as very negative, 16% said it’s somewhat negative and this is an uptick even from last year,” Cropper reported.
Teachers cited several concerns, including weakening school funding, pressure to privatize, ICE activity traumatizing families and the cost-of-living squeeze. One English teacher reported having no books except textbooks because of book bans.
Where do Georgia teachers fit into these findings?
In Georgia, Senate Bill 74 would have stripped librarians of immunity for providing “harmful” materials to minors but it did not pass. Lawmakers approved a return-to-work program for retired teachers and an early literacy law funding coaches in every elementary school.
Cropper pointed out the stress on teachers is not just about their own well-being. It affects students.
“It denies students the opportunity to actually get a full education because oftentimes, teachers are self-censoring, are holding back on conversations, keeping certain things off their agenda because they don’t want to deal with potential controversy,” Cropper observed.
Cropper noted teachers are self-censoring to avoid controversy, which denies students the opportunity for a full education.
In Georgia, the survey findings mirror concerns raised by local educators. The Gwinnett County Association of Educators reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity has led to thousands of students leaving the district and absenteeism increasing.
The Safe Space to Learn Coalition has been pushing metro Atlanta school districts to require judicial warrants before ICE agents can access private areas of schools.
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