Geoff Bennett:
As many students head back to the classroom, many are returning to schools that are understaffed. The National Center for Education Statistics says 44% of public schools will report teaching vacancies at the start of this year and more than half of those were from resignations with 1000s of teaching vacancies across the country, the nation appears to be reckoning with an exodus of educators.
Joining us now to talk about this are two standout teachers, Lee Allen taught math, coached wrestling, and was Teacher of the Year in Georgia's largest school district. And Qorsho Hassan taught elementary school and was the first Somali American to be named Minnesota Teacher of the Year. It's great to have you both with us.
Qorsho, I want to start with you, because you've said that you did not leave the profession entirely, willingly. What for you was the breaking point?
Qorsho Hassan, 2020 Minnesota Teacher of the Year: The breaking point for me was continuously being devalued. And not feeling like I could teach the truth and meet my scholars where they were. And it was also just the idea that we, as a profession didn't land here by any choice. We didn't mysteriously come about this teacher shortage. There has been a continuous evaluation of teachers and defunding of education for decades.
