As schools nationwide celebrate American Education Week 2024, a new survey sheds light on what teachers really need to thrive—and it’s not just a bigger paycheck. Conducted by Study.com, the survey reveals that while salary dissatisfaction is still a concern, what educators truly crave is more time, especially time spent working directly with students.
Study.com’s national survey of nearly 900 K-12 teachers found that 43% of those planning to leave the profession in the next five years would reconsider if they had a better work-life balance, which includes more time in the classroom. Despite 67% of teachers reporting dissatisfaction with compensation, the survey highlights three key areas where teachers need support: more planning time (58%), additional support staff (48%), and reduced administrative tasks (48%).
In terms of regional and racial differences, the survey found significant disparities, with teachers in states like Texas, Florida, and California reporting the highest stress from administrative duties. Teachers in suburban districts across the U.S. are especially likely to say that seeing student progress is their favorite part of the job. Additionally, fostering inclusivity in schools was shown to improve job satisfaction, with 50% of teachers—especially Black and Asian educators—citing inclusivity as a key factor.