The Teacher Shortage Crisis

By: Trina English Jessica Martin Amanda Werner
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  • Summary

  • Even before the pandemic lock-downs, American teachers from sea to shining sea reported a critical shortage of teachers within their ranks, and have watched in horror at the crippling levels of greed, arrogance, apathy, and ignorance at every level of K-12 educational governance.While embattled teachers have continued to try in vain to draw attention to the issues, our leaders have failed to acknowledge the problems at all. But since covid, the nation’s teachers have borne witness to a break neck hastening pace of this downward spiral–and a total avoidance of a conversation from our leaders.


    This a-political podcast, created and produced exclusively by teachers, gets into the nitty gritty details of why teachers are leaving the profession in droves, and uncovers huge contributing structural problems baked into the teaching profession which are not discussed or understood even within the K-12 educational world, which also explain why so much of what is done in K-12 is ineffective. These desperate, passionate, highly qualified teachers use this podcast series to insert teachers forcefully into the national conversation about the critical issues plaguing K-12 education, because no one else was letting them in–a fact which belies a central thesis about the roots of the problems discussed throughout the episodes. Listeners will be gripped by the reality that without substantial reforms which empower teachers to lead the work, the inevitable result is a collapse of our very ability to effectively self-govern–a process which they argue is already well underway.


    Listen as they describe the problems in teacher pay, teacher preparation requirements, special education, climate and culture, reading instruction, the false promise of existing DEI based frameworks in K-12, and the problems inherent in outsourced canned curriculums. Become a part of the solution as they outline a framework to authentically fix these problems, which require all hands on deck from both inside and outside of K-12 education.
    © 2025 The Teacher Shortage Crisis
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Episodes
  • 27. A New Year's Special Edition Episode: The Healing Power of Radical Love for All Teachers

    27. A New Year's Special Edition Episode: The Healing Power of Radical Love for All Teachers
    Jan 26 2025

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    In this special New Year's episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis podcast, hosts Amanda, Jess, and Trina come together to discuss their reflections, challenges, and goals for the coming year. The conversation covers the emotional toll of teaching, ways to replenish as educators, and the importance of radical love and community among colleagues.

    They introduce a new approach to the podcast, including a rebranding to 'Rebel Teachers Rising,' and highlight their involvement with a solution framework aimed at empowering teachers to lead their profession.

    The episode also touches on the Big Five personality test, revealing insights about each host's traits and how it influences their teaching and collaboration. They wrap up by offering practical advice for teachers experiencing burnout while emphasizing the need for collective action and support.

    00:00 Introduction: The Teacher Shortage Crisis
    01:04 New Year's Special: Caring for Rebel Teacher Souls
    02:30 Reflecting on the Challenges of January
    03:45 A Love-Hate Relationship with Teaching
    09:27 Dealing with Interpersonal Conflicts
    13:55 Books to Inspire and Reflect
    16:55 Practicing Radical Love and Protection
    30:05 Understanding Ourselves: The Big Five Personality Test
    33:50 Scoring High on Openness
    35:43 Understanding Conscientiousness
    37:11 Diving into Neuroticism
    46:17 Reimagining the Podcast
    55:37 The Solution Framework
    01:01:29 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

    Resources Discussed:

    Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right by Bob Dylan

    Big 5 Personality Test

    The 4 Agreements

    The Courage to be Disliked

    What’s Your Dream

     The Goddess Pose

    Pedagogy of the Oppressed

    Headspace

    Diane Ravitch





    www.teachershortagecrisis.com
    Petition to Save K-12 Schooling and our Precious Democracy!
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 26. Real Talk-A Discussion with Elyse Dorflinger, A Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Who Had to Fight a Hard Won Battle to Acquire Support for Her Autistic Son

    26. Real Talk-A Discussion with Elyse Dorflinger, A Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Who Had to Fight a Hard Won Battle to Acquire Support for Her Autistic Son
    Jan 12 2025

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    In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, a transitional kindergarten teacher, Elyse Dorflinger, shares her unique insights as both a general education teacher and the mother of an autistic child. Elyse describes the painstaking process of securing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for her son, highlighting systemic inadequacies in special education support. The discussion addresses the overwhelming struggles faced by teachers, the lack of proper resources and training, and the significant impact on students with disabilities. Elyse's story sheds light on the broader issue of educational inequity and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change.

    00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
    00:49 Meet Elyse Dorflinger: A Veteran Teacher's Perspective
    03:48 The Challenges of Special Education
    05:21 The Fight for Support and Resources
    09:11 Systemic Issues in Special Education
    13:10 Possible Solutions and Call to Action
    22:55 Navigating Special Education Services
    23:50 Investigating the Teacher Shortage
    24:20 Challenges in Special Education Reporting
    25:01 Personal Struggles with the System
    26:35 Fighting for Support and Services
    28:17 Systemic Inequities and Advocacy
    34:33 The Importance of Early Intervention
    37:28 The Emotional Toll on Educators
    40:08 Resources and Recommendations
    44:05 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

    www.teachershortagecrisis.com
    Petition to Save K-12 Schooling and our Precious Democracy!
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    46 mins
  • 25. Real Talk--A Discussion with Manuwella Allen-Why She Left Sped After 20 Years

    25. Real Talk--A Discussion with Manuwella Allen-Why She Left Sped After 20 Years
    Dec 28 2024

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    In this episode of the Teacher Shortage Crisis Podcast, co-host Trina welcomes Manuwella ("Mani") Allen, a former special education teacher with over 20 years of experience, to discuss the unique challenges and insights of the special education field. Recorded just before the 2024 school year, Manny shares her profound experiences and the struggles she faced while working with students of varying disabilities in a moderate to severe special day class.

    The conversation covers the complexities of balancing the needs of medically fragile, emotionally disturbed, and intellectually disabled students in one classroom. Mani recounts the physical, emotional, and spiritual tolls of the job, emphasizing the burnout that comes from always prioritizing students' needs over administrative and systemic demands.

    Key topics include the burdensome and often superficial IEP (Individualized Education Program) processes, inadequate support and training for paraprofessionals, and the systemic flaws in how special education is managed and executed in schools. Mani also touches on the challenges new special education teachers face, the administrative pressures to downplay students' needs, and the emotional resilience required to continue advocating for students in a broken system.

    Mani's story is both inspiring and sobering, shedding light on the critical yet often under-appreciated role of special education teachers. She offers advice for parents navigating the IEP process and stresses the importance of finding supportive connections within the educational community.

    The episode concludes with a call to action for educators, parents, and policymakers to recognize and address the dire state of special education to support these essential educators and their students better.

    www.teachershortagecrisis.com
    Petition to Save K-12 Schooling and our Precious Democracy!
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    58 mins

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