Rural America Is Running Out Of Teachers (HBO)

Summary

In Shelby, Montana, the local school faces a severe teacher shortage, especially in rural areas. To combat this, Superintendent Eliot Crump and Montana State University send aspiring teachers on a week-long immersion to experience life in small-town schools. Despite challenges like lack of amenities and isolation, teachers from diverse backgrounds, including those hired from the Philippines, have stayed in the community. The video highlights the unique struggles of rural education, the importance of attracting teachers, and the efforts to make small-town living more appealing to newcomers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shelby, Montana is facing a critical teacher shortage, particularly in its small, rural school district.
• 😀 Local superintendent Eliot Crump is actively seeking solutions to fill teaching positions, including reaching out to international teachers from the Philippines.
• 😀 The town of Shelby is extremely isolated, with the nearest Walmart over 100 miles away and a three-hour drive to the nearest Costco.
• 😀 Nearly half of all schools in Montana are employing teachers who are not certified, a crisis predominantly affecting rural communities.
• 😀 The Montana State University program sends aspiring teachers to rural towns like Shelby to provide them with hands-on experience in these challenging environments.
• 😀 Some students from the MSU program are attracted to the simplicity and tight-knit nature of small-town life, which contrasts with urban living.
• 😀 Teacher retention is a major challenge, with many teachers leaving within a year or two of arriving, despite significant recruitment efforts.
• 😀 In an effort to address the shortage, Shelby has hired teachers from the Philippines, offering them a competitive salary of $35,000 per year, which is considered a substantial amount in the Philippines.
• 😀 Although international recruits have been successful in staying, their visas are temporary, and long-term teacher retention remains uncertain.
• 😀 While the MSU students are given a warm welcome by the community through activities like fire truck rides and bowling, many express concerns about the lack of amenities and career prospects outside of teaching.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, some of the MSU students are seriously considering returning to teach in Shelby, driven by their positive experiences and the sense of community.

Q & A

What is the main issue that Shelby, Montana is facing in terms of education?

Shelby, Montana is experiencing a severe teacher shortage, which is a common problem in rural areas across the United States. Many rural schools struggle to fill teaching positions, which can negatively impact the quality of education and the community's overall stability.

How does the teacher shortage in Shelby affect the community?

The teacher shortage in Shelby leads to a decrease in the quality of education, which causes young families to leave the town and send their children to schools in neighboring areas. This further diminishes the town's population and economic activity, contributing to the decline of the community.

What innovative recruitment strategy has Shelby implemented to address the teacher shortage?

Shelby has implemented a program that invites aspiring teachers from Montana State University to experience life in the town. This immersive week-long experience allows students to explore the town, interact with the community, and get a feel for what teaching in a rural school would be like, with the hope of encouraging them to consider long-term teaching careers in Shelby.

What activities did the MSU students engage in during their visit to Shelby?

The MSU students took part in several community activities, including riding fire trucks, shooting guns, and going bowling. These experiences helped them get a sense of rural life and how they might fit into the Shelby community outside of the classroom.

How has Shelby tried to attract teachers from outside of the U.S. to fill positions?

In an effort to address the teacher shortage, Shelby has recruited teachers from the Philippines. These teachers are attracted by the competitive salary, which is significantly higher than what they could earn back home, allowing them to send money to their families while saving for themselves.

What challenges does Shelby face with its strategy of hiring teachers from the Philippines?

While hiring teachers from the Philippines has been effective in filling positions, it is not a long-term solution. The teachers are on temporary visas, and their stay in Shelby is limited to a few years, with the possibility of an extension. This creates uncertainty regarding long-term teacher retention in the community.

What impact does the lack of amenities in Shelby have on attracting young professionals?

The lack of amenities, such as shopping malls and entertainment options, makes Shelby less attractive to young professionals. Many students who visit the town find it appealing for its simplicity, but they may be deterred by the limited social opportunities and career prospects for their partners.

What is the general sentiment of the MSU students about teaching in a small town like Shelby?

The MSU students express a mix of interest and uncertainty about teaching in Shelby. Some are excited by the opportunity to work in a small, close-knit community, while others are concerned about the social limitations and career prospects for their families. The overall sentiment is that small-town life is not for everyone, but it is worth experiencing.

How does the experience in Shelby help the MSU students decide whether to pursue teaching in rural communities?

The immersive experience in Shelby allows the MSU students to interact with local residents, see firsthand the lifestyle in a rural town, and understand the challenges and rewards of teaching in such an environment. This helps them make an informed decision about whether they want to pursue a teaching career in rural communities.

Why is teacher retention such a critical issue in rural schools like those in Montana?

Teacher retention is critical in rural schools because a high turnover rate leads to instability in the classroom, disruptions in student learning, and a loss of community continuity. Without long-term teachers, rural schools struggle to offer consistent education, which further contributes to the decline of the community.