S.C. is in the midst of a severe teacher shortage due to educators being overworked + underpaid (plus, some feeling physically threatened in the workplace). That shortage isn’t expected to get any better with next year’s cutting of a popular retirement program that allows retirement-age teachers to continue to work.
Enrollment in S.C. teacher training programs is declining by ~4% per year. Last year, ~6,500 teachers left their positions, and only ~1,700 teaching grads were available to fill them.
What needs to change? Bigger paychecks, more time, and more respect from both inside and outside the classroom.
