Making Public Education Better: Staffing Our Schools for Success

Behind every strong school is a team of dedicated professionals who make learning possible. But across the nation, that team is shrinking. Teacher shortages, support staff vacancies, and overextended administrators are leaving schools stretched thin—and students are feeling the impact.

If we want to improve public education, we must invest in people.

The Growing Shortage Crisis

The United States is facing one of the most severe educator shortages in its history. According to national data, more than 55% of teachers say they are considering leaving the profession earlier than planned. Districts are struggling to fill positions in every subject, from math and science to special education and early literacy intervention.

But this isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the conditions that drive people away. Teachers report low pay, excessive workloads, a lack of respect, and little support in addressing today’s classroom challenges. As more leave, those who stay must pick up the slack, creating a cycle of burnout that perpetuates the crisis.

The Missing Roles That Matter

Schools are ecosystems. When one part of the system is understaffed, the entire structure suffers.

• Dyslexia therapists are essential to identifying and addressing reading difficulties early. Without them, students struggle for years before getting help.

• Resource officers create safer, calmer school environments, allowing teachers to focus on instruction rather than crisis management.

• Paraprofessionals, aides, and counselors form the backbone of student support—but they’re often the first cut when budgets tighten.

Every role in a school contributes to the mission of educating the whole child. When we lose those people, we lose balance, stability, and the ability to meet diverse student needs.

Pay, Respect, and Retention

Pay remains one of the strongest predictors of teacher turnover. Many educators hold second jobs just to make ends meet. Others leave the profession entirely for higher-paying work that demands less emotional labor.

If we say that education is the foundation of our society, then we must prove it through compensation and respect. Teachers should be treated as skilled professionals, not as replaceable labor.

Retention isn’t only about money, though—it’s also about trust. Teachers who feel supported, valued, and included in decision-making are far more likely to stay. A stable teaching staff doesn’t just improve test scores; it builds stronger relationships, safer classrooms, and a lasting sense of community.

How This Connects

• Invest in People, Not Programs: Policies and technology change, but people drive progress. Funding should prioritize staff, not paperwork.

• Support Over Surveillance: Teachers thrive when trusted to do their jobs. Reducing micromanagement restores morale.

• Early Literacy Support: Every elementary school should have at least one dyslexia therapist. Early intervention changes academic trajectories.

• Safety and Stability: Every school deserves a resource officer to foster a secure learning environment.

  
  

What Should Be Done

1. Competitive Pay & Benefits

   • Align educator salaries with professions requiring similar degrees and certifications.

2. Targeted Incentives

   • Offer loan forgiveness, housing stipends, or retention bonuses for hard-to-fill positions and high-need districts.

3. Invest in Dyslexia Therapy Programs

   • Fund training and placement for certified dyslexia therapists in all elementary schools.

4. Prioritize Mental Health and Safety

   • Ensure schools have counselors and resource officers to promote well-being and prevent crises.

5. Elevate Teacher Voice

   • Include educators in local and state-level decisions about policy and curriculum.

   
   

Closing: Strong Schools Start with Strong Staff

A building doesn’t make a school—people do. Teachers, therapists, counselors, and officers form the foundation that keeps learning steady and students safe.

If we want to improve public education, we must staff our schools for success. That means treating education as the profession it is—worthy of investment, respect, and long-term commitment.

Because when we take care of the people who teach and protect our children, we take care of our future.