New Report: Survey of the American Teacher

Posted by on April 19, 2010

The evolving roles and views of teachers

The MetLife Foundation has released the third and final report based on its 2009 Survey of the American Teacher, and finds teachers are reporting significant shifts in their profession. Career pathways in education are changing, with the role of the teacher evolving and with collaboration more strongly emphasized than before. The survey indicated 75 percent of teachers want to work in education beyond traditional retirement from classroom teaching. One-third worked outside of education before becoming a teacher, and “career-changer” colleagues are more common among secondary school teachers and teachers in schools with high proportions of low-income students. More than half of teachers and half of principals said some in their school had so-called hybrid teaching roles. Thirty-seven percent of teachers expressed interest in such a role, particularly new teachers and those dissatisfied with their current career. Highly satisfied teachers are more likely to work in schools with higher levels of collaboration, and to strongly agree that teachers in a school share responsibility for achievement of all students. Satisfied teachers are also more likely to strongly agree that other teachers contribute to their success in the classroom, and that teachers, principals, and other school professionals at their school trust each other. They are more likely to report a range of collaborative activities at their school, including structured time for teachers to work together.

See the report: http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/citizenship/metlife-foundation/metlife-survey-of-the-american-teacher.html?WT.mc_id=vu1101