An already existing issue, now exacerbated by the pandemic, is being spotlighted in a new documentary.
The Economic Policy Institute estimates that by 2025 the nation will be short more than 100,000 teachers. “Speaking of…Teachers in Crisis” is a PBS documentary designed to highlight what teachers go through on a day-to-day basis and what the rationale is for this shortage.
Producer of the documentary, Maryann Lazarski, said “This is not just a Wisconsin, or a Milwaukee issue, this is a national issue. We just felt it was important to highlight to spend an hour and take a closer look and put a face to this problem.”
In the hour long documentary are several testimonials from teachers on what they experience throughout their day and issues that arise. “We have very candid conversations, with three MPS teachers for example, who provided video diaries for us for a week and walk us through their day; the good, the bad and the everything in between.” Lazarski said “You know, I think statistics are one thing. The people who aren’t in the classroom, aren’t teachers, don’t fully grasp what a teacher goes through on a daily basis.”
Having to take on roles beyond being a teacher, such as parents, counselors and even police officers, leave teachers exhausted Lazarski said. Additionally, societal changes and events trickle into the classroom and effect both the students and teachers alike.
“Speaking of…Teachers in Crisis” premieres Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. CST on Milwaukee PBS.