According to a December 2021 survey by Professional Educators of Tennessee, a teacher advocacy group, 22 percent of teachers say they do not plan to remain in education. That is one of the elements TSD Education columnist Curtis Weathers points to in assessing the heightened value of substitute teachers.
Two important questions regarding the teacher shortage deal with retention and retirement. According to a December 2021 survey by Professional Educators of Tennessee, a teacher advocacy group, 22 percent of teachers say they do not plan to remain in education. Coupling that with 29 percent being eligible to retire within five years, the group says there is cause to be concerned regarding the teacher shortage.