Key Takeaways
- A growing number of Gen Z graduates are entering the teaching profession despite concerns over pay and conditions.
- The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a shift in values among Gen Z, with many prioritizing human connection and meaningful work.
- Teaching is seen as a profession that offers purpose, responsibility, and the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.
- Gen Z teachers are bringing new perspectives and approaches to the classroom, including a focus on social-emotional learning and technology integration.
- Despite the challenges of the profession, including low pay and high burnout rates, many Gen Z teachers are committed to making a difference and are calling for fair wages, respect, and professional support.
Introduction to the Shift in Gen Z Career Choices
Joseph Curatolo’s experience is not unique. Four years ago, he was studying architecture, but a summer job teaching music to middle school students changed his career trajectory. When he told his students he might leave the program, they burst into tears, and Curatolo realized the impact he had on them. This experience led him to reconsider his career, and he is now a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher. Curatolo’s story is part of a larger trend, with a striking number of Gen Z graduates entering the teaching profession despite longstanding concerns over pay and conditions.
The Attraction of Teaching to Gen Z
Teach For America, a non-profit education organization, has experienced a near 43% increase in applicants for teaching fellowships over the past three years. According to Whitney Petersmeyer, TFA’s chief growth and program officer, Gen Z is "craving human connection and experiences that feel real" after spending their formative years in isolation during the Covid-19 lockdown. Teaching offers them the opportunity to find this connection and make a difference in students’ lives. Petersmeyer also suggests that Gen Z is "responding to the opportunity for purpose and responsibility at a time where many entry jobs feel uncertain or disconnected from impact." This shift in values among Gen Z has led many to prioritize meaningful work and human connection over other career considerations.
The Influence of Economic Uncertainty
During periods of economic uncertainty and turbulence, college graduates have been known to turn to industries with major shortages, like education. Deirdre Armitage, director of clinical collaborations at the College of Staten Island, notes that it’s possible that Gen Z will turn to teaching as they realize they don’t have many other employment options. Luke Van De Vijver, a 23-year-old third-grade math teacher, found his love for teaching through a part-time job as a classroom monitor. He switched his university major from film to education after realizing the impact he could make in the classroom. Van De Vijver’s story illustrates how economic uncertainty can lead Gen Z graduates to consider teaching as a viable and fulfilling career option.
The New Perspective of Gen Z Teachers
This generation came of age "in a rapidly changing world," according to Randi Weingarten, president of the American Teachers Federation. As a result, they bring a new perspective to the classroom, reimagining how to teach and incorporating new approaches to technology and social-emotional learning. Social and emotional learning exercises, such as mindfulness and journaling, help students open up and address mental health concerns. Curatolo and Van De Vijver are examples of Gen Z teachers who are focused on students’ social development alongside academic progress. They prioritize creating a supportive and caring classroom environment, which helps students develop essential life skills, such as empathy, self-awareness, and self-regulation.
Rethinking Lessons and Content
Some Gen Z teachers are also rethinking the content and structure of lessons themselves. Samuel Ramey, a seventh-grade social studies teacher, was frustrated with how he was taught history and now teaches his students how to participate in healthy discourse and become active learners. Ramey also held a weeklong mini-unit focused on media literacy, critical thinking, and analyzing current events. This approach helps students develop essential skills, such as evaluating information, identifying biases, and thinking critically. By incorporating real-world issues and current events into their lessons, Gen Z teachers can make learning more engaging, relevant, and meaningful for their students.
The Challenges of Teaching
Despite the rewards of teaching, the profession is often challenging, with less than desirable pay, high burnout rates, and increasing responsibilities. In the US, educators have also been forced to reckon with danger, including gun violence in schools. Gabriella Sheffler, a 25-year-old sixth- and seventh-grade social studies teacher, notes that being a teacher means being in a constant state of worry. However, she credits a supportive work environment and a strong commitment to work-life balance with making teaching sustainable for her. Recent research by Rand, a non-profit institute, found that about 53% of teachers report burnout, and 16% expressed wishes to resign due to wellbeing and compensation concerns.
Supporting Gen Z Teachers
To attract and retain more Gen Z teachers, schools need to address the challenges of the profession. Petersmeyer notes that salaries need to keep pace and reflect the value that is being created by teachers. However, a study conducted by the Century Foundation found that US schools are underfunded by about $150bn annually. Weingarten emphasizes that Gen Z educators are choosing the classroom because they believe in making a difference in students’ lives. To support them, schools must provide fair wages, respect, and professional support. By doing so, schools can create a positive and sustainable work environment that allows Gen Z teachers to thrive and make a lasting impact on their students’ lives.