Viewpoint: An open letter to South Bend area educators

Aug. 15 marks the first day of school for many in South Bend. It’s a day usually met with feelings of excitement for students and teachers to reconnect as they reimagine their routines for the new academic year. However, this anticipation runs parallel with some discouraging professional challenges that aren’t unique to school districts within St. Joseph County. The COVID-19 pandemic upended our education ecosystems and left them scrambling to ease an ongoing teacher shortage.

It is disheartening to note that according to a recent National Education Association survey, an alarming 55% of educators indicate they are ready to leave the profession earlier than planned. Data from Indiana State University shows 96% of districts across the state reported teacher shortages making it a top concern for school leaders to fill those roles. In July, the South Bend Community School Corp. was looking to fill roughly 200 open positions before the school year kicks off. According to job openings on the school district’s website, more than 200 job openings remain unfilled – from all grade level teachers to building employees and coaching staff.

Regardless of these challenges, students will return to the classrooms and teachers will be tasked with shaping the next generation of Indiana’s workforce. Educators just like you undoubtedly leave a profound impact on our young Hoosiers. We must ensure we do everything we can to continue to not only encourage others to consider this career path, but also stay in the field year after year.

It’s no secret this profession can be taxing. With the proper tools and tactics, you can take the necessary steps to care for yourself throughout this next year to ensure you’re reenergized to continue molding Indiana’s future leaders.

Incorporate social emotional learning. Appreciating your value as an educator will help you understand the unique situations of the students you teach. Social emotional learning is an important component of curriculum, and what works for students can also work for teachers. Likewise, investing in social emotional learning with your students can benefit you through cause and effect; if your students understand how to care for themselves, your teacher-student relationship becomes stronger. In short, your health, wellness and continued professional growth can be a bulwark against the many challenges that will come your way and serve as a powerful model for the young learners you lead every day.

Prioritize being a difference-maker. In cities big and small, teachers are held in high esteem – in fact, according to a Varkey Foundation survey published by the World Economic Forum, teaching is in the top ranks among the world’s most respected professions. This acknowledgement stems from your potential positive influence over students and colleagues – an impact which lasts forever. Own this ability. Embrace it. Encourage it in your colleagues. It may sound trite, but it is more than true: your smallest act can make the biggest of differences with the students you teach and reach.

Choose to connect and collaborate. As you may encounter challenges and changes throughout your career, one thing is certain – you are never alone. Just by entering the teaching profession, you are forever allied with educators from many disciplines with whom you can connect and collaborate. You are part of a community where influential bonds with students shape their futures. Within your own network, the groundwork is already in place for you to embrace connection, collaboration and growth.

While the education landscape has certainly changed – and will continue to evolve – you are educators for a reason. Many crucial decisions led you to this moment, and you have the passion and the power to change lives. Your talent and vision is a vital part of this reimagining. So, to new teachers across the country: Never forget how important you are to so many, and never forget the power of your choices.

Alison Bell is the chancellor of WGU Indiana, a nonprofit, online university. Mark David Milliron (Twitter: @markmilliron) serves as senior vice president of Western Governors University and executive dean of the School of Education.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Tools, tactics to help reenergize Indiana educators