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For many years, Arizona has been in the grips of a severe teacher shortage. A recent survey of school personnel administrators shows that 1 in 4 teaching vacancies remain unfilled. Meanwhile, an August report in the Arizona Republic noted that since 2015, nearly 7,200 teaching certificates have been issued to educators who are not fully trained to lead a classroom.
But what are the stories behind these statistics? Why is recruitment and retention of educators such a challenge in our state? In short, what is it like to teach in Arizona?
A new documentary looks to answer this question and it will be shown in Flagstaff on Wednesday, October 17 at the McGee auditorium.
Teaching in Arizona, a film created by Tucson Values Teachers, explores the issue of teacher recruitment and retention by telling the stories of three teachers working in public schools in Arizona – one at a high school, one at an elementary school and one at a charter school.
This look into their lives illustrates the issues facing teachers in a way that mere statistics cannot, and I urge you to consider attending.
The event, from 5 to 7 pm, will include a panel discussion on the state of teaching in Arizona featuring local teachers, administrators, the business community and Lisa Molomot, the filmmaker behind Teaching in Arizona.
The film showing, co-sponsored by LAUNCH Flagstaff, Expect More Arizona and Tucson Values Teachers, is free but seating is limited and registration is required. You can register here.
Educational and economic success work hand in glove. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce and it’s our teachers who start them on the journey of lifelong learning they will need to make themselves successful – and our communities thrive.
I hope to see you at the local screening of this important and timely film. |
