To carry out their duties effectively teachers should have basic things like good working conditions. It is, however, sad that many teachers still remain underappreciated even though they are required to have at least Bachelor’s degree. Let us know about the hardest state to become a teacher.
A recent assessment published in USA Today ranks South Dakota as the worst state to be employed as a teacher in the United States. For more information on the states less likely to be good for teachers, check out the rest of this article.
10 worst states to be a teacher in 2022-
The following states are listed not in a particular order of ranking but they are by far the hardest state to be a teacher in the United States.
- South Dakota – apart from the average pay of teachers per year hanging at about $49,000, the student-to-teacher ratio is 25 to 1, and only about half of the total new teacher recruits in the state will likely make pension. Also, the NCTQ (National Council for Teacher Quality) awarded the state an F.
- Montana – the student-teacher ratio here is 25 to 1 and only about 35% of new teachers go on to qualify for a pension in the state. When you get a job as a teacher in the state, the probability of retaining it or even having a quality working environment is almost zero to none. This is why the NCTQ has graded the state with an F this year.
- Oklahoma – only about 44% of the new teachers here make pension and the student-teacher ratio is 29 to 1. This means that the classes are crowded, whereas the success of teaching has been attributed to teachers having one-on-one interactions with their students. This could also attribute to the reasons why the graduation rate in the state is 82.6% which is way lower than the 90.5% obtainable in New Jersey.
- Hawaii – with an average retirement benefit of only $9,000 and a 28 to 1 student-teacher ratio, it is no wonder this state ranks among the worst states to be a teacher in the United States. Despite this, only about 25% of new teachers expect to qualify for a pension at the end of the day.
- Arizona – the graduation rate for high schoolers in this state is about 78% while the student-teacher ratio is 43 to 1. Worse still, no new teacher expects to qualify for a pension. This means that the schools don’t retain teachers in this state.
- Colorado – with a student-teacher ratio of about 31 to 1, the State of Colorado is also a bad state to be a teacher. The retirement age in the state has also been extended to 66 instead of 60 or 35 years of service instead of 30.
- Maine – one would consider the low student-teacher ratio in the State of Maine to be a redeeming factor. However, with only about 14% of new teachers expecting to qualify for retirement, it is still not a good place for a teaching career. This is probably because most of the teachers’ contributory pension funds go into managing the state itself. Hence, you are less likely to earn as much as you have contributed when you retire.
- Mississippi – a high student-teacher ratio of 27 to 1 and an expected qualification for a pension of new teachers being 22% also qualifies this state as one of the worst. This is even though the state has the lowest cost of living in the country.
- Utah – the state of Utah pays its teachers about $62,000 on average, 41 to 1 student-teacher ratio defeats that feat of high payment. The teachers are overworked, probably to compensate for how much they earn.
- Nevada – with an average pay of about $59,000, the state ranks as the 24th lowest for pay. Its 37 to 1 student-teacher ratio also contributes to the factors that make it a hard state for teachers because each teacher is saddled with the responsibility of two teachers.
Why some states are considered bad working environments for teachers
What makes for bad working conditions for teachers also makes them unable to carry out their duties to the fullest of their capacities.
- Minimum wage – as one of the most sought-after professions in the world, the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed that the minimum pay per year for teachers should be about $63,000. This means they could earn more but should not be below the minimum wage. Many of these states faired worst in this regard.
- Workload – the ideal student-teacher ratio should be 18 to 1. Records and research have shown that the more time a teacher has to interact personally with students, the better it is for the students to assimilate what they are being thought. As shown, the states mentioned above do not measure up to this standard. This will also contribute to the number of dropouts or failures.
- Compensations and Pensions – with no guarantee for job security, new teachers are less likely to put effort into properly dispensing their duties. Instead, they put effort into searching for other jobs that could secure their future and this makes for low job output.
Conclusion
Perhaps you have the passion to be a teacher in any of the states mentioned in this article, but the downsides may prompt you to rethink. Also, it may not be a bad idea to get a side hustle.
FAQ
- What is the best state to be a teacher?
The best state in 2022 to be a teacher in is Rhode Island. That is if you are thinking in terms of pay (3rd highest in the country), the student-teacher ratio (24 to 1), or retirement plan (59% probability).
- In which state am I likely to get a teaching job?
The five states that are most likely to employ a teacher readily, because they have shortages, are Illinois, Arizona, Florida, Alabama, and Connecticut.
