According to a report from the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, almost a third of the 3.2 million teachers might retire over the next 4 years.
Apparently this is due in large part to young teachers:
The problem is aggravated by high attrition among rookie teachers, with one of every three new teachers leaving the profession within five years
Wake up people!! It is time to pay teachers what they are worth. The best teachers, in at risk subjects, in the worst schools should get paid on the same level as doctors or lawyers, up to $200,000 a year. If a teacher is among the best in their profession, is there a reason they shouldn't retire a millionaire? I don't think so.
A generation ago, teachers came from the top third of university classes because they were able to recruit minorities and women. Those groups didn't have many other options back then. That is no longer the case. Now teachers are recruited from the bottom third. We must make teaching not seem like something that is done only for the greater good while you have to sacrifice financial benefits. It has to be seen as something that will reward someone for what they deserve.