Despite a reported decline of interest in the teaching profession, some WHS students do want to become teachers.
FTA (Future Teachers of America) advisor Bobbi Swisher recognizes that fewer students want to become teachers.
“It does not surprise me, but it’s sad to see,” said Swisher.
In 2025, the teacher shortage is estimated to affect at least 1 in 8 teaching positions nationally, according to The Learning Policy Institute.
Senior Hailey Ferguson wants to be a teacher in the future, but few have tried to convince her to not try it because of the pay and the low respect. For her, it’s not about the job, but it’s for the journey of helping students in the future.
“Many people have tried to convince me not to go into the profession, because of the pay and little respect. While these are factors that have crossed my mind, there is so much more to the job than just the pay. With that being said, I have been blessed with two of the best parents. They have always supported my goals and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. When I told them I wanted to be a teacher, they were a little skeptical about it, but in the end they knew it was something I felt very passionate about and they encouraged me to go after what I wanted,“ said Ferguson.
Along with that, some other seniors share the same desire. Senior Haley Case wants to inspire people like how others inspired her, she wants to go out of her way and make a difference in people for they could be better than what they are.
“I want to inspire the students like I have been inspired by my teachers,” Case said.
Swisher organized the FTA because she was wanting to help encourage more students to be teachers.
“It is needed to help encourage students to become teachers,” Swisher said.
Ms. Swisher thinks that fewer students want to be teachers because of the low wages and the micromanaging of local, state and federal government these past few years. Ms. Swisher thinks better wages and improved insurance will help in bringing attention back to teaching jobs.
Ferguson explained that she wants to be a teacher because she sees that every child is capable of doing anything. She wants to help discover what they want and can do in the future. She believes that every student could do anything that they want.
“I want to be a teacher because I truly believe that every child deserves someone who believes in them. School can be a place where kids discover who they are, and I want to be a part of helping them grow with confidence. I want to make sure every student who walks into my classroom knows they are important, valued, and capable of amazing things,“ said Ferguson.
Ferguson wants to become an elementary teacher because the early years of a child is a huge part of building a child’s foundation. She wants them to learn how to be social, smart, and successful.
“I plan to become an elementary teacher because those early years are such a huge part of building a child’s foundation; both academically, emotionally, and socially. Kids at that age are so curious and full of potential, and I want to help encourage that excitement for learning from the very beginning,” Ferguson said.
Case wants to be a 2nd grade teacher. She expressed how she wants to mostly teach in elementary.
“I want to teach elementary education, specifically 2nd grade,” Case said.
Ferguson was inspired to be a teacher by other teachers who have supported her throughout her educational career. Even when she didn’t see anything, they still helped her find her path in life. Today, she knows how much of an impact those teachers have made.
“I was inspired to be a teacher by the teachers who have supported me throughout my school years. The ones who saw something in me even when I didn’t see it in myself. Knowing how much of an impact they made on my life is the biggest reason I want to do the same for others. I want my future students to know they matter and that someone will always be there cheering them on,” Ferguson said.
