University Professors React To Pandemic-Fueled Teacher Shortage

School districts across Oklahoma are struggling with what many educators are calling a teacher shortage crisis.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education reports a higher turnover rate for teachers over the past few years.

Dr. Katherine Curry is an Associate Professor in Educational Leadership as well as the Program Coordinator for the Educational Leadership Program in the College of Education and Human Sciences at OSU-Tulsa.

Dr. Curry said she's working on a small piece for publication and found an article in 1919 predicting a teacher shortage.

She said it's no secret that Oklahoma trains and prepares its teachers well, and that often, educators move across state lines because of a difference in pay.

Dr. Curry said principals and superintendents are becoming pro problem solvers by trying to keep schools open and do what's best for kids and employees while staying safe.

Dr. Curry teaches crisis management, and how to navigate and lead effectively in times of change.

She said principals and superintendents have really become leaders in their communities and are looked to for stability and answers,

"I don't know how you're prepared for these kinds of situations, but our superintendents and our principals tend to be really resilient, and they tend to be really committed and passionate about what they do, and those are the kinds of things that get you through those tough circumstances," said Dr. Curry.

However, like the rest of us, they aren't immune to weariness and fatigue.

"I think there are multiple ways for them to be supported in their roles and I think one of the best ways is just through their networks," said Dr. Curry.

Professor Vickie Lake with OU-Tulsa said on top of the existing teaching shortage, colleges are struggling to recruit education majors while figuring out how to teach the next generation of teachers.

"We live in a digital age. All our students are very proficient on their smartphones, on computers, on many different areas of technology for their personal life. They are not proficient in how to use that technology for teaching and learning," said Lake.

Many teachers across Oklahoma are out sick, retiring, and even leaving the field altogether.

OU-Tulsa Undergrad Calico Hagedorn said, while this intimidates some education majors, it doesn't scare her.

"Change requires work and I'm not afraid to work at this, and I'm not afraid to fight for our children. First and foremost, Oklahoma, and hopefully we can set the tone for the rest of the world," said Hagedorn.

Hagedorn is a first-generation college student. She said it's time to redefine early childhood education and fix the inequities heightened by the pandemic.

"I was not given certain types of opportunities when I was younger, and my teachers were amazing. I can remember every single name," said Hagedorn.

Vickie Lake is a professor and the Associate Dean of the College of Education at OU-Tulsa.

Lake said we need more teachers like Hagedorn, adding that the teacher shortage, though amplified by the pandemic, isn't a new phenomenon.

She said in the last decade there's been anywhere from a 27 to 50% decline in teacher education program applicants.

"It's really a matter of people not respecting the profession," said Lake.

That, Lake said, on top of pay, is the daunting task of teaching in the digital era.

"I think it's mainly the teachers and the professors that are catching up with the technology knowledge that the students are already coming with," said Lake.

Lake said technology is taking over quicker than expected.

"We, I'll say, teach and preach flexibility," said Lake.

Students in OU-Tulsa's Early Childhood Education Program work hands-on with students and teach them how to learn using technology.

"What we don't want is for our graduates to think that there's teaching and learning, and then there's now teaching and learning with technology. Like, it's gonna have to be seamless," said Lake.

Students are given iPads so they can integrate technology into lessons. For example, they'll upload lessons to YouTube and use translation apps for dual language learners.

"Our goal is that our students will graduate knowing how to teach face to face but also with a suite of interactive and engaging lessons that can be modified for any grade level, virtually as well," said Lake.

Dr. Curry said students are born with an innate desire to learn.

She said one good thing is that educators are starting to reevaluate how we measure student success and are turning towards student-centered, problem-based learning.

"The pandemic has certainly provided challenges that have been unexpected and yet it also has propelled us forward as far as the next, what's happening next in education, and the integration of technology, it's so relevant for students," said Dr. Curry. "I feel like the landscape of education is changing in a way that teachers are no longer the expert who stands on the stage and tell students what to think. They're actually leading students in how to think because there's so much information available through technology."

Lake said the Bridging the Gap Scholarship through TCC allows students to come to OU-Tulsa and get an early childhood education degree for next to nothing.