When Gigs Hodges came to Austin, she felt a pull to be a teacher. However, her student teaching experience left her apprehensive about the profession she felt passionate about, as she faced verbal assaults and once even had ham thrown at her.

“I feel it viscerally, the fear of going into the classroom knowing that it is a position that is exploited,” urban education senior Hodges said. “But (I care) so deeply for student needs. It’s a real conundrum.” 

Up to 70% of teachers are considering leaving their profession, an increase from 53% who considered leaving in 2018, according to the Texas State Teachers Association. Pandemic stressors, a lack of support from state leaders and low pay contribute to this dissatisfaction. 

Hodges said these widespread problems impacted her classmates’ willingness to teach. 

“In my cohort of (12) urban teachers, only three students (are) going directly into teaching,” Hodges said. “I think there is a large percentage of preservice teachers who are facing this, and it’s really upsetting that we feel this way.” 

Carlos Eric Bowles, the director of UTeach-Liberal Arts, a four-semester certification program for teaching high school, said the shortage forced some districts to attempt to hire students who had not yet completed their certification. 

“(Schools) were trying to hire them in January, and (students) started student teaching in January,” Bowles said. “I think putting student teachers in some of those situations can be really harmful. They’re not teachers; they’re still learning.” 

Hodges said the lack of support while student teaching left her mentally drained. 

“While I was there, a tenured teacher left every week that I was teaching because there was this toxic positivity, and their needs as teachers weren’t being heard,” Hodges said. “I didn’t have time between lesson planning and being at school to take care of myself. … It was not sustainable; it was dangerous for me.” 

Charles Martinez, the dean of the College of Education, said the college experienced an 87% increase in first-time college students the fall of 2020 and has maintained its growth. The college also plans to strengthen partnerships with community colleges to attract more students.

The College of Education started the Texas Education START program to provide mentorship for first, second and third-year teachers. Martinez said providing support early on would help decrease attrition rates. 

“(New teachers) end up in the most challenging, most complex environments their very first year,” Martinez said. “They didn’t even have a chance to develop their natural ability in the classroom.” 

Doris Baker, an associate professor of special education, said increasing recognition for teachers impacts their well-being and ability to be a better teacher for their students.

“(I don’t want to emphasize) what it means to cope with all the insecurities and tensions and fears,” Baker said. “I want to put a bigger emphasis on the important role they play in education and how what they bring to their students is really unique.” 

Hodges said better treatment of teachers, including increased support and recognition, would make more people want to enter teaching. 

“It’s not that there isn’t the force to meet the need,” Hodges said. “We’re here. We are educated. We care about students, … but I’ve seen how teachers don’t want to put up with that treatment anymore.”