New survey finds Georgia teachers are burnt out, struggling to pay bills

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A newly released report found teachers in Georgia are dealing with burnout and struggling to make ends meet.

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators surveyed 3,700 educators from school districts across the state.

The survey found that 48% of educators felt burnt out.

Ramonia Toombs and Wendy Harper are with the Fulton Federation of Teachers.

“We’ve had two members to resign as of last week. They are being burned out very quickly,” said Toombs.

Harper said retention rates are drastically low, especially among new teachers.

“It’s concerning because you have to have teachers,” Harper said.

The report found that these factors contributed to burnout:

• Lack of support from school administration
• Difficulty covering living expenses
• Extensive student loan debt
• Classroom disruptions, especially cell phone use and social media among high school students

It noted that 21% of state educators wouldn’t recommend the career field.

>> READ THE FULL REPORT:

“We are in a crisis,” said Jeff Hubbard, president of the Cobb County Association of Educators.

Hubbard said it’s been ongoing issue, and the state needs to invest more money into public education.

“If Georgia is truly serious about public education and have this great budget surplus, put your money where your mouth is,” he said.

Hubbard added there needs to be greater resources to assist school staff.

“GAE has called for mental health assistance, more school counselors, more social workers and more school psychologists,” Hubbard said.

Harper said the future of our youth is at stake.

“We have to have teachers in our society. We need to keep them or make them want to teach we have to change the dynamics,” she said.