The start of a new school year is always a season of possibility. The halls come alive with chatter and laughter, classrooms shine with fresh supplies, and students arrive eager to learn with new backpacks in tow. Parents share in the excitement of what lies ahead for their children, while communities come together to support their schools. Yet behind this hopeful scene, teachers and school staff shoulder heavy burdens and face challenges that don’t disappear when the first bell rings.
The Struggles Educators Have Faced
Over the past several years, teachers and school staff have navigated more than their share of hardships. The pandemic placed impossible demands on educators—pivoting overnight to remote learning, balancing health and safety with the need to keep students engaged, and addressing learning loss that continues to affect students today. Even after schools reopened, educators faced growing class sizes, staff shortages, politicized attacks on curriculum, and pay that often lags behind that of their peers with similar education levels.
On top of all this, educators are contending with an alarming rise in violence directed at schools. Incidents of aggression against teachers have grown in recent years, and school shootings continue to haunt communities nationwide. Just last week, tragedy struck in Minneapolis, when a gunman opened fire during a school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, killing two children and injuring many others. While each incident is unique, the chilling reality is that teachers and school staff now carry an additional burden: worrying not just about their students’ academic progress, but about their safety—and their own—each day they enter a classroom.
These compounding challenges have left many educators feeling burned out, undervalued, and stretched thin. In fact, surveys show that teacher turnover is at some of the highest levels in decades. The loss of experienced educators doesn’t just impact schools—it impacts every child’s future.
The Challenges Ahead This Year
This school year is no different. Teachers and staff are returning to classrooms with limited resources and mounting expectations. Support staff—bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians, and paraprofessionals—are also feeling the strain of staffing shortages and stagnant wages. When these professionals leave for higher-paying jobs elsewhere, the entire school community feels the impact.
The heightened threat of school violence further adds to the emotional toll, forcing educators to juggle lesson plans alongside lockdown drills and safety concerns. Teachers want to do what they do best—teach and nurture young minds—but they can’t do it alone. They need security and stability to remain in the classroom.
Why Pensions Matter
One of the most powerful tools we have to keep dedicated educators in our schools is retirement security. Defined benefit pensions offer teachers and staff peace of mind: after decades of service, they will have a guaranteed, reliable income in retirement. Pensions aren’t just a benefit—they are a promise.
Unlike risky 401(k)-style plans, pensions provide stability. They keep experienced teachers in classrooms, help recruit new talent, and ensure that those who dedicate their careers to our children can retire with dignity. Without pensions, the ongoing nationwide teacher shortage would only deepen, as more educators would be forced to leave the profession early in search of financial stability elsewhere.
Investing in the Future
As we begin this new school year, let’s remember that investing in teachers and school staff is investing in our children and our communities. Pensions are one of the most effective ways to honor their service and retain the professionals who shape the future every single day.
When teachers and staff feel supported and secure about their future, they can focus fully on what matters most: helping students thrive. That’s the kind of investment we can all get behind.
Our teachers, school staff, and public employees deserve more than words of gratitude—they deserve lasting security. Join us in the movement to protect pensions and ensure that every educator who dedicates their life to serving our children can retire with dignity.