Title: With Nearly Lowest Pay in U.S., Oklahoma Schools Struggle to Recruit Teachers - Oklahoma Watch
Headings: With Nearly Lowest Pay in U.S., Oklahoma Schools Struggle to Recruit Teachers
With Nearly Lowest Pay in U.S., Oklahoma Schools Struggle to Recruit Teachers
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Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Sommer Lyons, a Tulsa teacher, on weekdays…
Sommer Lyons on weekends…
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Content: His biggest competitors, Texas and northwestern Arkansas, offer better salaries and more classroom resources. “Why is it getting harder? My gut tells me that the surrounding states have seen the need to put more money into education and teacher pay,” Calhoun said. “ Oklahoma has not taken that step yet.” Other causes include the high cost of a college degree, which can drive students to pursue higher-paying professions so they can pay off college loans; expanded opportunities for women beyond traditional fields such as teaching; and more intense demands in the classroom. Better pay and other changes, such as more professional support for teachers, could alleviate the shortages, but more funding would need to be found, according to one state study. Some existing teachers are considering leaving Oklahoma for better pay. Tulsa Public Schools prekindergarten teacher Sommer Lyons, who works at ECDC Reed School, said she has considered moving to New York City.