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Abstract

Amid already critical teacher shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many teachers to leave the profession, but we know little about how it may affect teacher recruitment. Kayla Bill, Amanda Bowsher, Betty Malen, Jennifer King Rice, and Jason Saltmarsh conducted a survey and focus groups to explore how COVID-19 has influenced undergraduates’ interest in and perceptions of teaching. The pandemic has had mixed but troubling effects on undergraduates’ interest in teaching, and while it has increased their respect for teachers, it has also magnified their concerns about salary, safety, workload, and the disrespect teachers endure. Addressing these long-standing concerns may increase the likelihood that this sizable pool of prospective teachers will pursue teaching and help alleviate teacher shortages.

Keywords

teacher shortage teacher recruitment preservice teacher teacher salary teacher morale COVID-19

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Making matters worse? COVID-19 and teacher recruitment

Abstract

Keywords

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References