Charleston Co. School District teachers share classroom issues in annual survey

Charleston Co. School District teachers share classroom issues in annual survey

A teacher advocacy organization asked Charleston County School District teachers to anonymously share classroom concerns in their annual survey. The survey aims to identify classroom issues that lead to decreasing teacher retention.

Over 600 teachers participated in the survey and identified several key issues that are impacting their work environment. These include burnout, professional learning communities, planning time, and financial incentives.

Identifying Classroom Challenges

The Charleston Teacher Alliance shared the results from their annual critical highlights survey on Thursday. Teachers submitted anonymous online surveys last fall to shed light on the factors that make their work more difficult and contribute to teacher turnover.

The survey revealed that burnout is a significant issue, with 36% of educators feeling stressed from non-instructional duties and 35% citing student discipline as a major cause of their challenges.

In addition, teachers expressed a need for more undisturbed planning time to effectively prepare their lessons and classrooms. Nearly half of the respondents (48%) indicated that they are not receiving adequate planning time, leading to 65% of teachers taking work home in order to compensate.

Desire for Improvements

While last year’s $5,000 bonus has had a positive impact on teacher retention, educators are calling for additional measures to support their work. Suggestions from teachers include improved insurance options, financial incentives for multi-year contracts, and longevity bonuses.

Over 85% of teachers expressed a desire for more affordable insurance premiums and increased coverage options. Additionally, 76% of teachers advocated for financial incentives for signing multi-year contracts, while 97% supported the idea of longevity bonuses for continued service in the classroom.

Advocating for Change

Jody Stallings, Director of the Charleston Teacher Alliance, emphasized the importance of addressing these classroom challenges. Stallings highlighted the need for school principals and district leadership to pay attention to teachers’ concerns and take action to improve the work environment.

Stallings intends to bring these issues to the attention of Superintendent Anita Huggins, who recently took office. The alliance is hopeful that working with Huggins will lead to positive solutions, as she has shown responsiveness to teacher concerns.

In conclusion, the Charleston Teacher Alliance is committed to advocating for teachers and ensuring that their voices are heard in decisions that impact their work environment. By addressing these classroom issues, the organization aims to improve teacher retention and ultimately enhance the educational experience for students.