A new analysis of education workforce data shows that Maine’s looming teacher shortage—a crisis that could seriously affect the future Maine economy—is here. There aren’t enough new educators in the pipeline to make up for an aging workforce in the state, according to the report by Educate Maine.
Comparatively low pay, uneven professional support and narrow pathways to teacher qualification cause both an exodus from the teaching profession and a reluctance of young people to become teachers. Moreover, while Maine’s large teacher workforce (14,000-plus in pre-K to grade 12) is vital and dedicated, more than half are approaching or at retirement age.
“The numbers tell a worrying story,” said Jason Judd, executive director of Educate Maine. “We need more pathways to the profession, greater support for all educators, and some policy changes to make recruitment and retention successful.”
Among the highlights of the report:
• We have a lot of teachers! There are 14,100 pre-K to grade 12
educators in Maine.
• But it’s an older population. The average age? 46
• Maine teachers are paid modestly. The average salary of pre-K to
grade 12 educators in Maine is $60,000
• This is lower than the average in every other New England State.
• It is 24 percent lower than those in professions requiring similar
credentials and education, like nursing.
• Maine teachers are well-educated. 45 percent have masters degrees
or higher.
• And they’re experienced! On average Maine educators have at least 15
years on the job.
• We’re not training enough educators to take over when current teachers retire. The number of people completing education prep
programs in Maine has gone down 50 percent in the last ten years and is
declining much faster than the national rate.
• Our educator workforce isn’t very diverse. 92 percent of education
prep graduates are white, and 78 percent are women.
A new program from Educate Maine will address some of the root causes of the teacher shortage. The Teach Maine Center, designed by and for teachers, will both support existing educators and advocate for more and broader professional pathways for people considering the profession, Judd said.
To read the report: https://cdn.branchcms.com/8oyQKqMEPL-1031/docs/EM- Educator-Workforce-Report-2024.pdf
