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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2002

News Release

Answering the Call...For All the Right Reasons

Nearly 8 in 10 would consider a teaching career in 2002 Teacher Day online ballot

Washington, D.C. - Parents, business leaders and citizens of all stripes will come together for National Teacher Day (May 7) to recognize the untiring commitment and dedication of teachers in their communities. But while people applaud the teaching profession from afar, how many of them would be happy to see their own children join its ranks, much less join the profession themselves?

To explore these questions, the National Education Association (NEA) surveyed visitors to its website (www.nea.org) during a two-week period to gauge the public's interest in a teaching career, the key reasons people would consider - or refuse to consider - teaching, and the likelihood that people would advocate a teaching job to their children.

A strong majority of respondents said they would consider going into the teaching profession by a nearly 4 to 1 margin (79 percent to 21 percent). When asked to identify the principal reason for considering a teaching career, more than one-third (38 percent) said the value or significance of education in society was the critical factor. Rounding out the choices were a desire to work with young people (34 percent), the influence of a teacher in elementary or secondary school (22 percent), and their interest in a particular subject-matter field (7 percent).

According to NEA's research report, Status of the American Public School Teacher, the desire to work with young people and the value of education are also the most frequently cited reasons that teachers give for choosing their occupation.

"The good news is that people have an overwhelming interest in teaching as a potential career choice," says NEA President Bob Chase. "And they are considering teaching for the most noble of reasons - the high esteem they place on education and their desire to influence and inspire young minds."

Likewise, respondents who would never consider becoming a teacher were asked to cite the dominant reason for declining to join the nation's teaching corps. Low salaries topped the list of negatives (35 percent) - but teacher pay was not the only downside. Heavy workload or long hours (22 percent) ranked second, while lack of respect for the teaching profession and lack of support from parents or administrators tied for third (21 percent).

At the same time, nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) said they would recommend teaching as a career choice to their children. But the decision to recommend teaching was strongly influenced by the respondents' personal choices. Among those who considered teaching as a career, 86 percent would recommend teaching to their children; among those who refused to enter teaching, 87 percent would not recommend teaching to their kids.

"These results offer significant reassurance and challenges," said Chase. "To those who would consider teaching, I encourage you to take the next step and pursue this great occupation. And to those who spurn teaching, keep in mind that no other career comes close to the satisfaction and rewards that come from making a difference in a child's life."

National Teacher Day is celebrated each year on the second Tuesday of the first full week in May, which is designated as Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-11). For the past 17 years, communities have used this occasion to shower teachers with well-deserved thanks. This unique opportunity to show respect and recognition is conveyed through this year's National Teacher Day theme: "Thank you, Teachers! You bring out the BEST in America's students."

For more information about Teacher Day, go to www.nea.org/teachday.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.