Advisory: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Solving the Educator Retention Crisis Press Conference

There are solutions to the teacher shortage crisis in Texas, but state leaders must have the political will to act on them.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2022

CONTACT: press@texasaft.org

MEDIA ADVISORY
MONDAY, July 25 at 9 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX – On Monday, July 25, Texas AFT will host a press conference to release a new study of Texas teachers that shows the results of the relentless pressure put upon them by Texas politicians.

Texas AFT requested the help of Battelle for Kids, a national non-profit, to conduct a study focused on identifying solutions to address the teacher shortage. The study, entitled “Texas Needs Teachers! Voices from the Field,” presents the findings from a series of focus groups conducted in Dallas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley, in addition to two virtual options attended by well over 100 Texas teachers.

“Teachers are feeling unnecessary pressure. Whether it’s politicizing books, overworking and harassing educators, targeting their vulnerable students, failing to keep them healthy and safe, or ignoring the pleas of educators who are at a breaking point, it comes as no surprise that a majority of teachers have thought about leaving the profession altogether,” said Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT. “Many are doing so already, with hundreds of vacancies in districts across the state as back-to-school season approaches.”

The Texas focus group findings echo a national American Federation of Teachers report. Together they note that no single solution can keep qualified educators in their jobs. Instead, politicians need to listen to educators’ voices, and these two reports are filled with actionable requests of the Texas Legislature.

Following the press conference, Texas AFT members will participate in campaign summer school to organize, learn how to best get their voices heard, and kick off their “Respect Us or Expect Us” campaign for the 2022 November elections and 2023 legislative session.

What:

Texas AFT is hosting a press conference to discuss the results of conversations with teachers across the state on why the teacher shortage exists and outline solutions.

When:

Monday, July 25, 2022
9-10 AM CT – Press Conference
10 AM – NOON CT – Texas AFT Summer School/Respect Campaign Kickoff (member event)

Where:

Houston Children’s Museum
1500 Binz St
Houston, TX 77004

Or via Zoom

Who:

  • Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT
  • Randi Weingarten, president of AFT
  • Karen Garza, CEO of Battelle for Kids
  • State Rep. Ron Reynolds
  • State Rep. Jon Rosenthal
  • State Rep. Ann Johnson
  • Participants from Texas AFT

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The Texas American Federation of Teachers represents 66,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.7-million-member American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.