Teacher burnout is an escalating issue, exacerbated by the pandemic. Educators have faced immense challenges, from swiftly adapting to online teaching in 2020 to returning to in-person classes often without adequate protection. The pressure has been compounded as teachers have found themselves caught in political debates surrounding safety measures. As a result, burnout rates have soared.
In response to this crisis, two school districts in Virginia are implementing an innovative approach: early dismissals on select Wednesdays. The Virginia Beach City Public School board recently approved a plan to release students two hours early on seven Wednesdays over the next three months. This initiative aims to provide teachers with uninterrupted time to prepare lessons without the burden of additional responsibilities outside regular school hours. Superintendent Aaron Spence emphasized the need for this change, noting that teachers have taken on more duties than ever before, which hinders their ability to prepare effectively.
Suffolk Public Schools has also adopted a similar strategy, planning early dismissals every other Wednesday starting in November for the remainder of the school year. A memo from the district highlighted that teachers have lost essential planning time due to various COVID-19-related challenges.
These adjustments come in the wake of a national survey revealing a significant decline in teacher job satisfaction, dropping from 69 percent pre-pandemic to just 44 percent in October 2020. The stress levels reported by teachers have surged, with many considering leaving the profession altogether.
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Summary
Two Virginia school districts are addressing teacher burnout by introducing early dismissals on select Wednesdays, providing educators much-needed time for lesson preparation. This initiative follows alarming statistics that show a steep decline in teacher job satisfaction since the pandemic began.
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