This is particularly problematic given that in the next 10 years, 25,000 new teachers will be needed in this country to fill vacant positions due to retirement or those leaving the field.  Locally, the Itasca Project’s Minnesota’s Future: World-class Schools, World-class Jobs report states that “Due to aging population trends, Minnesota will need to replace about 40% of its current teachers over the next decade or two.”

Kati Haycock noted that 40 years ago, when teaching was one of few career options for women, the “best and the brightest” women were found in the classroom. Today, women can be anything and a teaching career path, for men or women, competes with a wide spectrum of job opportunities.

At the same time, there is a decline in individuals choosing to pursue a traditional education degree.  Instead, many who are becoming teachers are choosing alternative teacher prep programs. This year Teach for America received 35,000 applications drawing locally from 10% of Carleton and 10% of Macalester’s graduating classes.  There is a need to ensure that these teacher prep programs provide quality training and have the resources necessary to meet the demands of the field.  In addition, all of these new teachers will need opportunities for professional development to help them be more successful.