NORTH DAKOTA UNITED

EDUCATOR RETENTION
SURVEY

JANUARY 10-14, 2022

Prepared by:

DFM Research
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Executive Summary:
In a new survey of North Dakota United (NDU) K-12 educator and ESP members, 74 percent
believe teacher retention for the 2022/23 school year is a major issue. Teacher retention is higher
concern in the eastern cities (81 percent major issue) than the rest of North Dakota; crosstab data
also reveals teacher retention is not a partisan issue: 71 percent of self-identified Republicans and
77 percent of self-identified Democrats say retention is a major issue. And when you couple
teacher retention being a major issue with the 53 percent of members currently unsatisfied
professionally, you have the ingredients for a future disruption in fully staffing school districts
with well qualified educators.
This theme runs throughout the full survey results. And it is getting worse. The comparison
numbers from the January 2021 data unequivocally shows teacher retention is an on-going and
growing concern.
The 2022 survey was conducted between January 10-14, consisting of 1,149 completed interviews
via an email and text-to-web platform powered by SurveyMonkey. Final survey data is weighted
by gender, age, region, and school type to reflect the composition of the NDU educator
membership. It should be added that this is a largest sample of any NDU survey conducted the last
seven years.
The data underlines the growing anecdotal concern that a significant number of K-12 educators are
considering leaving the education profession. The number of members now considering leaving (or
have already decided to retire/leave) increased from 35 percent in 2021 to 47 percent in 2022. And
this is not a partisan issue among educators: 42 percent of Republican teachers/members have or
are considering leaving, compared to 47 percent of Democrats.
Question after survey question demonstrates teacher rentention is a major issue, but questions 12
and 13 (especially when compared to the 2021 survey data) clearly shows the mindset of educators
changed from one of a life-long profession when first hired to the now stark everyday reality that
working in a school is not much different professionally than outside the school. Consider:
• When hired, 90 percent of current NDU
educator members saw a future where they Professional Plans
would retire as an educator; asked today, the 60
number declines by more than half to 41 percent. 50
50 44
• The shift away from retiring as an educator is 41
40
especially pronounced with young members; 29
those between the ages of 30-39 went from 91 30
21 21
percent retire when they started, to just 26 20
percent retire today. 10
• Teacher retention is more of an issue in the 0
eastern cities, with just 34 percent of current Retire Consider Unsure
NDU members planning to retire in the Change
education profession. Rural communities are in 2021 2022
the mid-40 percent range.
In just one year, we see a significant overall negative swing in members considering a professional
change as opposed to retiring as an educator. In 2021, those who felt they would still retire (50
percent) in the education profession compared to considering change (29 percent), went from plus
21 percentage points to minus 3 percentage points in 2022 (41 percent retire to 44 percent consider
change). This is a significant swing.
As to why NDU educator members are considering leaving the education profession, the number
one reason is teacher burnout. Sixty-two percent marked this, up slightly from 58 percent in 2021.
The number two reason (marked by 45 percent) was extra duties are becoming burdensome.
Beyond the factors in the classroom (burnout and extra duties), digging a little deeper, the data
shows lack of pay and benefits (especially among young members) and political discourse from
politicians and parents as the two main outside dynamics entering the conversation. Both show
more than 70 percent saying this has ‘some’ part in their consideration to leave, with just 1 in 10
saying it has ‘no’ part in their consideration.
And while pay and benefits has always been a huge concern among members, we also now see
political discourse as large factor in the minds of educators on their consideration to stay or leave
the profession. Seventy five percent say the political discourse from politicians and parents is
playing at least ‘some’ part (44 percent significant part) in their views on considering leaving. And
53 percent of teachers have felt (either real or perceived) at least some pressure from politicians and
parents to teach a certain way to be ‘less controversial’. Crosstab data shows this ‘pressure’ is also
reflective in Republican oriented members, with 43 percent saying at least some part; although
intensity is more strongly felt from members who identify as Independents and Democrats.
Not being appreciated and/or respected could be the underlying issue to the teacher retention
problem. When asked if they feel appreciated, 40 percent said no, and just 5 percent yes. This
number has declined from 2019 (55 percent feel less appreciated today than in 2019). And when
asked if they feel respected, 30 percent said no, and 7 percent said yes. The negative numbers are
more pronounced in the eastern cities and among younger members.
Bottom line, data from the 2022 survey, when compared to 2021, indicates an acceleration of
members who are considering leaving the education profession. The issue of teacher retention is
more serious today than last year. And while this online survey can’t reach into the mindset of
individual educators (like a focus group) and their personal choices on their next move, topline data
clearly shows teachers do not feel appreciated or respected, and in the classroom, they feel burned
out and overburdened. And it does not help that the pressure in the classroom during this trying
year is being amplified in the minds of members by the outside political discourse.
You take all the above, and you have the necessary components on why a strong majority believe
teacher retention is a major issue, and they have or are actively still considering a professional career
change or early retirement. Identifying the problem is easy, the solutions will be harder.
Topline:
Interviews: 1,149 North Dakota United Teachers and ESP via online survey.
Margin of Error: Plus or minus 2.9% points. Data weighted by gender, age, region and school type.
Interview Dates: January 10-14, 2022
Sample: North Dakota United pre-contacted members prior to survey; then sent two
invitations to members to participate (email and text).
Survey Sponsor: North Dakota United

Q1: Generally speaking, do you think things in the nation are moving in the right direction,
or do you think things are on the wrong track?
Right direction .................................................................................. 8%
Wrong track ..................................................................................... 73
(VOL) Unsure .................................................................................. 19

Q2: Do you think things in North Dakota are moving in the right direction, or do you think
things are on the wrong track?
Right direction .................................................................................. 18%
Wrong track ..................................................................................... 52
(VOL) Unsure .................................................................................. 29

Q3: And do you think things in your school district are moving in the right direction, or do
you think things are on the wrong track?
Right direction .................................................................................. 28%
Wrong track ..................................................................................... 52
(VOL) Unsure .................................................................................. 19

Q4: How would you rate your current professional satisfaction?

Very satisfied ................................................................................... 7%
Somewhat satisfied .......................................................................... 36
Somewhat unsatisfied ...................................................................... 33
Very unsatisfied ............................................................................... 20
Neutral ............................................................................................. 4
Unsure .............................................................................................. 0

Q5: Compared to 2019, would you say your professional satisfaction is:
Better ................................................................................................ 10%
About the same ................................................................................ 24
Worse ............................................................................................... 61
Unsure .............................................................................................. 1
Not in education profession in 2019 ................................................ 3
Q6: How big an issue do you believe teacher retention is heading into the 2022/23 school
year?
Major issue ....................................................................................... 74%
Somewhat of an issue ...................................................................... 23
Minor issue ...................................................................................... 1
No issue ............................................................................................ 1
Unsure .............................................................................................. 1

Q7: North Dakota United continues to hear from members that they are considering leaving
the education profession or retiring due to COVID and other complications this school
year.
To get a better understanding of what members are thinking, have you given any thought
to either leave the teaching profession or retire?
01/22 01/21
Yes, will retire .................................................................................. 4% 2
Yes, will leave teaching profession ................................................. 4 3
Currently considering retiring .......................................................... 5 6
Currently considering leaving teaching profession .......................... 34 24
Did consider retiring/leaving – but will stay .................................... 23 15
No, have not considered retiring/leaving ......................................... 25 43
Unsure .............................................................................................. 5 7

Questions 8-10 exclude ‘No’ or ‘Unsure’ in Q7; n=794

Q8: Is the 2021/2022 school year the first time you considered leaving the education
profession?
Yes ................................................................................................... 50%
No .................................................................................................... 49
Unsure .............................................................................................. 1

Q9: If you are considering leaving the education profession, which of the following reason(s)
are contributing to this consideration? (select as many that apply)
Teacher burnout / additional stress .................................................. 62 58
Teaching hybrid classes ................................................................... 8 12
Extra duties becoming burdensome ................................................. 45 44
Current salaries ................................................................................ 38 35
Parents are different ......................................................................... 37 33
Students are different ....................................................................... 42 33
Administrators are different ............................................................. 30 27
Lack of substitute teachers ............................................................... 31
Q10: What part has (enter) impacted your views on considering leaving the education
profession:
A – changes or talk of changes in curriculum
No part ............................................................................................. 33%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 20
Some part ......................................................................................... 29
Significant part ................................................................................. 18
Unsure ............................................................................................... 0

B – COVID
No part ............................................................................................. 18%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 28
Some part ......................................................................................... 35
Significant part ................................................................................. 19
Unsure ............................................................................................... 0

C – lack of pay and benefits

No part ............................................................................................. 12%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 17
Some part ......................................................................................... 28
Significant part ................................................................................. 43
Unsure ............................................................................................... 1

D – political discourse from politicians and parents

No part ............................................................................................. 9%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 15
Some part ......................................................................................... 31
Significant part ................................................................................. 44
Unsure ............................................................................................... 1

Q11: When it comes to your colleagues in your school building, do you hear a lot of talk about
leaving the education profession, some talk about leaving the education profession or
little to no talk about leaving the education profession?
A lot of talk about leaving ............................................................... 26%
Some talk about leaving ................................................................... 55
Little to no talk about leaving .......................................................... 17
Unsure .............................................................................................. 2

Q12: Thinking back to when you were first hired as an educator; was it your plan to retire from
the education profession or was there always consideration you might change
professions?
01/22 01/21
Plan was to retire from the education profession ............................. 90% 83
Always considered you might change profession ............................ 6 7
Unsure .............................................................................................. 4 10
Q13: Now thinking about where you are today; is it your plan to retire from the education
profession, or are you considering changing professions?
01/22 01/21
Most likely retire in the education profession .................................. 41% 50
Considering changing profession ..................................................... 44 29
Unsure .............................................................................................. 15 21

Q14: If asked by a current student, would you recommend/encourage them to enter the
education profession?
Yes ................................................................................................... 13% 26
No .................................................................................................... 40 32
Depends ........................................................................................... 41 34
Unsure .............................................................................................. 6 7

Q15: Do you feel pressure (either real or perceived) from administrators to teach a certain way
to be less controversial?
A lot of pressure ............................................................................... 10%
Some pressure .................................................................................. 25
Just a little pressure .......................................................................... 17
No pressure ...................................................................................... 43
Unsure .............................................................................................. 4

Q16: Do you feel pressure (either real or perceived) from politicians and parents to teach a
certain way to be less controversial?
A lot of pressure ............................................................................... 21%
Some pressure .................................................................................. 32
Just a little pressure .......................................................................... 18
No pressure ...................................................................................... 25
Unsure .............................................................................................. 4

Q17: As an educator, do you feel appreciated?

Yes ................................................................................................... 5%
Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No ....................................................... 55
No .................................................................................................... 40
Unsure .............................................................................................. 0

Q18: Compared to 2019, do you feel more or less appreciated?

More ................................................................................................. 5%
About the same ................................................................................ 34
Less .................................................................................................. 55
Unsure .............................................................................................. 2
Not in education profession in 2019 ................................................ 3
Q19: As an educator, do you feel respected?
Yes ................................................................................................... 7%
Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No ....................................................... 62
No .................................................................................................... 30
Unsure .............................................................................................. 0
Crosstabs:
Q1: Generally speaking, do you think things in the nation are moving in the right direction,
or do you think things are on the wrong track?
Right direction .................................................................................. 8%
Wrong track ..................................................................................... 73
(VOL) Unsure .................................................................................. 19

Gender RD WT Unsure
Men 8 76 16
Women 8 72 19
Age
18-29 1 71 28
30-39 10 73 18
40-49 8 75 17
50-59 9 74 18
60 plus 16 69 15
School Level
Elementary 8 76 16
Middle 10 71 19
High School 9 70 20
Other 6 67 27
Region
East Cities 9 77 14
West Cities 6 74 20
Cities > 5,000 9 69 22
Towns < 5,000 10 70 21
Party Identification
Democrat 13 68 19
Independent 7 71 22
Republican 4 81 15
Q2: Do you think things in North Dakota are moving in the right direction, or do you think
things are on the wrong track?
Right direction .................................................................................. 18%
Wrong track ..................................................................................... 52
(VOL) Unsure .................................................................................. 29

Gender RD WT Unsure
Men 24 54 22
Women 17 52 31
Age
18-29 20 42 38
30-39 14 57 29
40-49 18 53 29
50-59 24 50 26
60 plus 18 59 23
School Level
Elementary 19 52 29
Middle 17 54 29
High School 17 54 29
Other 23 45 32
Region
East Cities 11 67 22
West Cities 19 52 28
Cities > 5,000 21 50 30
Towns < 5,000 23 41 36
Party Identification
Democrat 12 68 21
Independent 17 48 35
Republican 28 38 34
Q3: And do you think things in your school district are moving in the right direction, or do
you think things are on the wrong track?
Right direction .................................................................................. 28%
Wrong track ..................................................................................... 52
(VOL) Unsure .................................................................................. 19

Gender RD WT Unsure
Men 28 53 19
Women 28 52 19
Age
18-29 37 42 21
30-39 26 53 20
40-49 27 53 20
50-59 27 54 19
60 plus 26 62 13
School Level
Elementary 28 55 17
Middle 24 54 22
High School 27 52 21
Other 41 36 22
Region
East Cities 16 68 16
West Cities 24 55 21
Cities > 5,000 27 55 18
Towns < 5,000 43 35 22
Party Identification
Democrat 25 55 20
Independent 24 55 21
Republican 37 46 17
Q4: How would you rate your current professional satisfaction?
Very satisfied ................................................................................... 7%
Somewhat satisfied .......................................................................... 36
Somewhat unsatisfied ...................................................................... 33
Very unsatisfied ............................................................................... 20
Neutral ............................................................................................. 4
Unsure .............................................................................................. 0

Very Somewhat Somewhat Very

Gender Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Unsatisfied
Neutral Unsure

Men 10 38 28 19 4 0
Women 6 35 35 21 3 0
Age
18-29 7 42 31 14 4 0
30-39 4 33 35 23 4 0
40-49 8 32 36 21 3 0
50-59 8 38 30 19 4 0
60 plus 10 33 32 23 2 0
School Level
Elementary 6 34 34 23 4 0
Middle 6 32 37 20 4 0
High School 6 38 33 19 3 0
Other 15 42 24 15 3 1
Region
East Cities 4 25 38 29 4 0
West Cities 6 42 33 18 1 0
Cities > 5,000 6 33 31 26 4 0
Towns < 5,000 11 41 30 13 5 0
Party Identification
Democrat 6 33 35 23 3 0
Independent 6 35 35 21 4 0
Republican 10 39 29 17 4 0
Q5: Compared to 2019, would you say your professional satisfaction is:
Better ................................................................................................ 10%
About the same ................................................................................ 24
Worse ............................................................................................... 61
Unsure .............................................................................................. 1
Not in education profession in 2019 ................................................ 3

Gender Better Same Worse Unsure Not

Men 12 29 55 1 3
Women 10 23 63 1 3
Age
18-29 14 21 50 2 13
30-39 9 20 67 1 2
40-49 9 27 62 1 0
50-59 9 28 61 2 1
60 plus 11 24 63 1 0
School Level
Elementary 9 23 65 1 2
Middle 12 21 63 0 4
High School 9 24 63 2 3
Other 17 34 42 3 5
Region
East Cities 6 14 78 0 2
West Cities 9 28 58 2 3
Cities > 5,000 9 22 64 2 3
Towns < 5,000 15 30 49 1 4
Party Identification
Democrat 9 23 64 1 2
Independent 9 23 64 1 3
Republican 12 27 55 2 4
Q6: How big an issue do you believe teacher retention is heading into the 2022/23 school
year?
Major issue ....................................................................................... 74%
Somewhat of an issue ...................................................................... 23
Minor issue ...................................................................................... 1
No issue ............................................................................................ 1
Unsure .............................................................................................. 1

Gender Major Somewhat Minor No Unsure

Men 69 29 1 1 0
Women 76 22 1 1 1
Age
18-29 81 16 1 0 2
30-39 77 21 2 1 0
40-49 68 29 1 1 0
50-59 72 26 1 0 1
60 plus 77 20 0 0 2
School Level
Elementary 74 22 1 1 1
Middle 76 23 0 0 0
High School 75 22 2 1 1
Other 68 28 2 0 1
Region
East Cities 82 16 1 1 0
West Cities 71 25 2 1 1
Cities > 5,000 76 22 1 1 0
Towns < 5,000 69 28 2 0 1
Party Identification
Democrat 77 21 1 1 0
Independent 74 23 1 0 1
Republican 71 25 1 1 2
Q7: North Dakota United continues to hear from members that they are considering leaving
the education profession or retiring due to COVID and other complications this school
year.
To get a better understanding of what members are thinking, have you given any thought
to either leave the teaching profession or retire?
01/22 01/21
Yes, will retire .................................................................................. 4% 2
Yes, will leave teaching profession ................................................. 4 3
Currently considering retiring .......................................................... 5 6
Currently considering leaving teaching profession .......................... 34 24
Did consider retiring/leaving – but will stay .................................... 23 15
No, have not considered retiring/leaving ......................................... 25 43
Unsure .............................................................................................. 5 7

Considering Considering Did, But

Gender Yes
Retiring Leaving Will Stay
No Unsure

Men 8 6 32 18 34 2
Women 7 5 35 24 23 6
Age
18-29 2 0 31 30 33 4
30-39 4 0 47 23 22 5
40-49 3 1 37 23 31 5
50-59 9 13 25 22 23 8
60 plus 30 24 14 16 17 0
School Level
Elementary 8 5 35 22 24 6
Middle 8 2 36 27 21 6
High School 6 6 34 23 27 3
Other 5 9 28 22 32 5
Region
East Cities 8 6 42 21 18 6
West Cities 5 6 33 21 27 8
Cities > 5,000 5 3 39 21 29 4
Towns < 5,000 9 5 26 28 30 2
Party Identification
Democrat 7 5 35 25 24 4
Independent 7 7 36 21 23 6
Republican 8 4 30 24 29 6
Q8: Is the 2021/2022 school year the first time you considered leaving the education
profession? (If other than ‘No’ or ‘Unsure’ in Q7; n=794)
Yes ................................................................................................... 50%
No .................................................................................................... 49
Unsure .............................................................................................. 1

Gender Yes No Unsure

Men 45 53 2
Women 51 48 0
Age
18-29 58 41 1
30-39 49 49 1
40-49 51 49 1
50-59 47 53 0
60 plus 42 56 2
School Level
Elementary 48 51 1
Middle 54 44 2
High School 51 49 0
Other 48 51 1
Region
East Cities 56 44 0
West Cities 45 55 0
Cities > 5,000 48 50 3
Towns < 5,000 50 49 1
Party Identification
Democrat 50 49 0
Independent 50 49 1
Republican 50 50 1
Q9: If you are considering leaving the education profession, which of the following reason(s)
are contributing to this consideration? (select as many that apply; in ranked order)
Teacher burnout / additional stress .................................................. 62 58
Extra duties becoming burdensome ................................................. 45 44
Students are different ....................................................................... 42 33
Current salaries ................................................................................ 38 35
Parents are different ......................................................................... 37 33
Lack of substitute teachers ............................................................... 31
Administrators are different ............................................................. 30 27
Teaching hybrid classes ................................................................... 8 12

Extra Lack
Gender Burnout
Duties
Students Salaries Parents
Subs
Men 53 35 36 35 30 21
Women 65 47 44 38 39 33
Age
18-29 60 43 41 46 38 29
30-39 71 48 45 45 44 34
40-49 60 42 37 34 31 30
50-59 56 43 45 31 35 29
60 plus 63 48 42 29 34 31
School Level
Elementary 65 46 43 38 40 35
Middle 65 43 46 41 41 38
High School 62 46 43 37 32 25
Other 49 41 30 34 29 16
Region
East Cities 70 55 51 50 43 39
West Cities 60 42 43 27 38 35
Cities > 5,000 62 44 38 34 35 33
Towns < 5,000 58 39 36 37 32 20
Party Identification
Democrat 66 47 44 42 39 35
Independent 62 43 44 37 38 27
Republican 59 43 38 34 34 31
Q10: What part has (enter) impacted your views on considering leaving the education
profession:
A – changes or talk of changes in curriculum
No part ............................................................................................. 33%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 20
Some part ......................................................................................... 29
Significant part ................................................................................. 18
Unsure ............................................................................................... 0

Gender No Minor Some Significant Unsure

Men 36 19 28 17 1
Women 33 20 29 18 0
Age
18-29 42 18 28 10 2
30-39 35 26 24 14 0
40-49 33 19 31 17 0
50-59 25 16 32 26 1
60 plus 33 13 31 24 0
School Level
Elementary 32 18 30 20 1
Middle 35 22 28 15 1
High School 30 23 27 20 0
Other 47 16 31 7 0
Region
East Cities 28 18 32 22 0
West Cities 31 23 28 18 0
Cities > 5,000 33 17 27 23 0
Towns < 5,000 40 20 27 11 1
Party Identification
Democrat 33 22 28 18 0
Independent 35 17 30 17 1
Republican 32 21 28 19 0
Q10: What part has (enter) impacted your views on considering leaving the education
profession:
B – COVID
No part ............................................................................................. 18%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 28
Some part ......................................................................................... 35
Significant part ................................................................................. 19
Unsure ............................................................................................... 0

Gender No Minor Some Significant Unsure

Men 26 34 25 15 0
Women 16 27 37 20 0
Age
18-29 16 28 33 23 0
30-39 18 27 34 21 0
40-49 19 33 32 15 1
50-59 19 23 39 19 0
60 plus 20 33 33 15 0
School Level
Elementary 18 25 36 21 0
Middle 20 32 36 13 0
High School 16 31 31 22 0
Other 22 30 34 12 1
Region
East Cities 11 28 33 27 0
West Cities 20 25 35 19 0
Cities > 5,000 21 31 31 17 0
Towns < 5,000 21 30 37 12 0
Party Identification
Democrat 13 23 37 26 0
Independent 20 32 34 13 0
Republican 23 29 31 16 0
Q10: What part has (enter) impacted your views on considering leaving the education
profession:
C – lack of pay and benefits
No part ............................................................................................. 12%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 17
Some part ......................................................................................... 28
Significant part ................................................................................. 43
Unsure ............................................................................................... 1

Gender No Minor Some Significant Unsure

Men 16 18 24 42 1
Women 11 17 29 43 0
Age
18-29 5 15 31 48 1
30-39 9 19 27 45 0
40-49 13 18 22 47 1
50-59 16 13 32 38 1
60 plus 20 17 30 32 0
School Level
Elementary 10 16 27 47 0
Middle 11 14 30 45 0
High School 14 21 25 40 0
Other 15 13 34 33 4
Region
East Cities 5 13 29 53 0
West Cities 15 17 34 34 0
Cities > 5,000 18 18 24 40 0
Towns < 5,000 12 19 24 44 1
Party Identification
Democrat 10 15 27 48 1
Independent 12 19 29 40 0
Republican 14 17 28 42 0
Q10: What part has (enter) impacted your views on considering leaving the education
profession:
D – political discourse from politicians and parents
No part ............................................................................................. 9%
Minor part ........................................................................................ 15
Some part ......................................................................................... 31
Significant part ................................................................................. 44
Unsure ............................................................................................... 1

Gender No Minor Some Significant Unsure

Men 10 19 29 41 0
Women 9 14 31 45 2
Age
18-29 6 13 31 47 3
30-39 8 16 32 44 1
40-49 8 15 29 48 0
50-59 13 12 34 39 2
60 plus 12 17 26 41 3
School Level
Elementary 9 16 32 43 1
Middle 7 14 26 51 2
High School 9 14 33 42 1
Other 12 13 30 41 4
Region
East Cities 7 15 29 47 2
West Cities 8 11 35 47 0
Cities > 5,000 11 14 33 40 2
Towns < 5,000 11 18 28 42 2
Party Identification
Democrat 6 10 29 54 0
Independent 9 18 31 39 2
Republican 12 16 33 38 2
Q11: When it comes to your colleagues in your school building, do you hear a lot of talk about
leaving the education profession, some talk about leaving the education profession or
little to no talk about leaving the education profession?
A lot of talk about leaving ............................................................... 26%
Some talk about leaving ................................................................... 55
Little to no talk about leaving .......................................................... 17
Unsure .............................................................................................. 2

Gender A Lot Some Little/None Unsure

Men 29 49 20 2
Women 25 57 16 2
Age
18-29 24 51 23 2
30-39 31 50 16 2
40-49 25 58 16 1
50-59 23 59 16 2
60 plus 24 61 13 2
School Level
Elementary 27 53 17 2
Middle 25 59 14 2
High School 25 58 16 2
Other 26 48 25 1
Region
East Cities 31 58 9 2
West Cities 26 58 14 1
Cities > 5,000 34 49 17 1
Towns < 5,000 17 53 27 2
Party Identification
Democrat 28 54 15 2
Independent 25 56 16 3
Republican 24 55 21 1
Q12: Thinking back to when you were first hired as an educator; was it your plan to retire from
the education profession or was there always consideration you might change
professions?
01/22 01/21
Plan was to retire from the education profession ............................. 90% 83
Always considered you might change profession ............................ 6 7
Unsure .............................................................................................. 4 10

Gender Plan Might Unsure

Men 85 9 6
Women 91 5 4
Age
18-29 81 14 5
30-39 91 6 3
40-49 92 4 4
50-59 92 4 5
60 plus 91 4 5
School Level
Elementary 94 4 2
Middle 88 6 6
High School 87 9 4
Other 84 9 7
Region
East Cities 91 4 5
West Cities 93 3 4
Cities > 5,000 87 8 5
Towns < 5,000 87 9 4
Party Identification
Democrat 91 6 3
Independent 90 5 4
Republican 88 8 5
Q13: Now thinking about where you are today; is it your plan to retire from the education
profession, or are you considering changing professions?
01/22 01/21
Most likely retire in the education profession .................................. 41% 50
Considering changing profession ..................................................... 44 29
Unsure .............................................................................................. 15 21

Gender Retire Consider Unsure

Men 53 39 9
Women 38 45 16
Age
18-29 33 50 16
30-39 26 58 16
40-49 37 48 15
50-59 54 31 15
60 plus 78 14 8
School Level
Elementary 38 45 17
Middle 38 47 16
High School 44 44 12
Other 53 36 11
Region
East Cities 34 49 16
West Cities 42 43 15
Cities > 5,000 43 38 19
Towns < 5,000 46 43 11
Party Identification
Democrat 39 47 14
Independent 43 45 12
Republican 41 39 20
Q14: If asked by a current student, would you recommend/encourage them to enter the
education profession?
Yes ................................................................................................... 13% 26
No .................................................................................................... 40 32
Depends ........................................................................................... 41 34
Unsure .............................................................................................. 6 7

Gender Yes No Depends Unsure

Men 17 38 42 3
Women 12 41 40 7
Age
18-29 14 25 57 4
30-39 10 43 41 6
40-49 10 46 39 4
50-59 13 45 35 8
60 plus 26 35 30 9
School Level
Elementary 11 44 38 7
Middle 10 41 44 5
High School 15 38 43 4
Other 22 31 39 8
Region
East Cities 7 47 39 7
West Cities 9 45 39 6
Cities > 5,000 17 44 33 6
Towns < 5,000 19 29 46 5
Party Identification
Democrat 11 43 39 7
Independent 13 42 40 6
Republican 15 36 43 6
Q15: Do you feel pressure (either real or perceived) from administrators to teach a certain way
to be less controversial?
A lot of pressure ............................................................................... 10%
Some pressure .................................................................................. 25
Just a little pressure .......................................................................... 17
No pressure ...................................................................................... 43
Unsure .............................................................................................. 4

Gender A Lot Some Little No Unsure

Men 13 24 15 45 3
Women 10 26 17 43 4
Age
18-29 12 21 17 47 2
30-39 9 26 18 43 4
40-49 9 29 15 44 4
50-59 10 24 17 44 5
60 plus 16 26 15 35 7
School Level
Elementary 11 26 16 43 4
Middle 13 31 14 38 4
High School 10 21 22 44 3
Other 7 26 10 51 7
Region
East Cities 9 25 19 43 3
West Cities 9 31 19 34 6
Cities > 5,000 14 27 14 40 4
Towns < 5,000 11 20 14 52 3
Party Identification
Democrat 12 24 20 39 5
Independent 11 30 14 42 3
Republican 9 23 15 49 4
Q16: Do you feel pressure (either real or perceived) from politicians and parents to teach a
certain way to be less controversial?
A lot of pressure ............................................................................... 21%
Some pressure .................................................................................. 32
Just a little pressure .......................................................................... 18
No pressure ...................................................................................... 25
Unsure .............................................................................................. 4

Gender A Lot Some Little No Unsure

Men 20 34 14 29 2
Women 21 31 19 24 4
Age
18-29 23 40 18 16 3
30-39 27 33 16 21 3
40-49 19 31 20 26 4
50-59 13 29 18 34 6
60 plus 23 24 18 30 5
School Level
Elementary 21 31 17 26 5
Middle 24 36 15 22 2
High School 21 32 21 23 3
Other 17 28 16 31 7
Region
East Cities 21 33 21 20 5
West Cities 23 34 15 23 5
Cities > 5,000 21 31 19 25 4
Towns < 5,000 20 30 16 32 2
Party Identification
Democrat 29 32 17 19 4
Independent 20 33 18 25 3
Republican 13 30 18 33 5
Q17: As an educator, do you feel appreciated?
Yes ................................................................................................... 5%
Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No ....................................................... 55
No .................................................................................................... 40
Unsure .............................................................................................. 0

Gender Yes Sometimes No Unsure

Men 8 55 36 0
Women 5 55 40 0
Age
18-29 4 58 38 0
30-39 4 54 43 0
40-49 5 52 43 0
50-59 7 58 35 0
60 plus 10 54 36 0
School Level
Elementary 5 54 41 0
Middle 4 60 36 0
High School 5 54 41 0
Other 11 49 39 1
Region
East Cities 4 49 47 0
West Cities 2 61 36 0
Cities > 5,000 8 53 38 0
Towns < 5,000 8 56 36 0
Party Identification
Democrat 5 56 39 0
Independent 4 54 41 0
Republican 8 55 38 0
Q18: Compared to 2019, do you feel more or less appreciated?
More ................................................................................................. 5%
About the same ................................................................................ 34
Less .................................................................................................. 55
Unsure .............................................................................................. 2
Not in education profession in 2019 ................................................ 3

Gender More Same Less Unsure Not

Men 7 37 49 4 3
Women 5 34 57 2 3
Age
18-29 5 27 53 1 14
30-39 5 32 59 2 2
40-49 4 37 56 2 0
50-59 7 37 53 2 1
60 plus 6 39 51 4 0
School Level
Elementary 5 33 56 2 3
Middle 5 33 57 1 4
High School 5 34 57 2 2
Other 9 42 43 4 2
Region
East Cities 4 24 67 3 3
West Cities 6 35 56 1 3
Cities > 5,000 5 33 57 3 3
Towns < 5,000 7 44 43 2 4
Party Identification
Democrat 5 29 61 2 2
Independent 5 34 55 3 3
Republican 7 40 48 2 4
Q19: As an educator, do you feel respected?
Yes ................................................................................................... 7%
Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No ....................................................... 62
No .................................................................................................... 30
Unsure .............................................................................................. 0

Gender Yes Sometimes No Unsure

Men 12 58 30 0
Women 6 63 30 0
Age
18-29 5 60 35 0
30-39 6 62 33 0
40-49 6 66 28 0
50-59 10 62 28 0
60 plus 12 61 27 0
School Level
Elementary 6 63 31 0
Middle 6 63 30 0
High School 8 60 31 0
Other 14 63 23 0
Region
East Cities 4 59 37 0
West Cities 5 65 29 1
Cities > 5,000 7 64 29 0
Towns < 5,000 11 62 26 0
Party Identification
Democrat 6 62 32 0
Independent 6 63 31 0
Republican 10 62 28 0
Appendix A:
Q17: As an educator, do you feel appreciated?
Yes ................................................................................................... 5%
Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No ....................................................... 55
No .................................................................................................... 40

What can be done to make you feel appreciated?