What’s Happening in Our Schools: A Crisis of Teacher Loss

I have a prediction: we are about to face a teacher shortage unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Colorado has been grappling with a teacher shortage since before the pandemic, and the lockdowns only made things worse. Now, the future pipeline of educators—Gen Z—wants little to do with the profession. This generation is deeply concerned about financial stability, and with the reality of low teacher salaries, rising living costs, and the expectation of holding a second job just to pay for groceries, the career simply doesn’t appeal.

I’ve worked with dozens of high school students over the past five years—students from both prestigious private institutions and under-resourced public schools. Very few of them can name a teacher who’s inspired them. That’s a huge red flag.

We can’t expect to attract passionate, capable people to teach our kids without offering financial and professional incentives. In the past, some individuals entered the field out of a deep sense of purpose. But now, even those driven by the mission struggle to envision a life where they can thrive. Teachers are rehearsing active shooter drills, monitoring bathrooms for vape pens, and constantly redirecting students from distractions on school-issued devices or hidden phones. The classroom has shifted from a place of learning to a place of surveillance and crisis management.

And let’s talk about the students. Many feel disengaged, uninspired, and skeptical about the value of their education. They’re overwhelmed by screen addiction, immersed in social media, and increasingly unable to find meaning in assignments they see as “busy work.” They question why they should care about tests for colleges they can’t afford or degrees with uncertain returns. Even coding classes—once viewed as a ticket to the future—are starting to feel obsolete in the face of rapid AI advancement.

I hear it every day from students on my caseload. They’re checked out, anxious, and disillusioned. I often tell them I wish I could tear down the entire system and start over. When they ask why I don’t, I point to the barriers: politics, massive institutions backed by bureaucracy, reluctant taxpayers, and corrupt or indifferent education leaders.

Still, here’s where I’d begin.

Elementary Schools:

• More physical activity and outdoor time. Bring back the timed mile and fitness testing. Every child should be able to run a mile.

• Ditch most of the “ed-tech.” Much of the tech introduced during the pandemic has done more harm than good. “Digital brain breaks” aren’t breaks—they’re distractions. Give kids real breaks with real interaction: take them outside, play games, get them moving.

• Bring back field trips. Students need opportunities to experience the world, interact with adults, and build social skills in public spaces.

• Improve school lunches. (This deserves its own post.)

• Pay teachers and staff better.

Middle & High Schools:

• More time outside. Introduce camping, backpacking, and off-campus experiences that build confidence and resilience.

• Return to paper and pencil. Yes, digital fluency is important—but we’ve gone too far. Writing by hand boosts retention and reduces screen-related distractions.

• Create mentorship programs. High schoolers need strong adult role models beyond their families. Coaches, mentors, and engaged community members can provide inspiration and accountability.

• Foster school spirit. Encourage students to support sports teams and clubs. Break down the “us vs. them” culture between staff and students.

• Pay teachers more. Again—it’s non-negotiable.

• Give students more autonomy. Over-surveillance creates resentment. Timed hall passes and bathroom monitors make school feel like a prison. Instead of cracking down harder, let’s focus on trust and accountability. Of course we need boundaries—but let’s not lose sight of empathy and understanding.

• Overhaul the curriculum. Teach real-life skills: how to form arguments, engage with opposing views, understand taxes, credit, debt, and mortgages. These are the tools students need to build independent, thoughtful lives.

This is a brainstorm, not a blueprint. I don’t have all the answers. But what I do know is this: unless we make real, systemic changes—and soon—we’ll see teacher shortages deepen, learning outcomes drop, and student mental health decline even further.