Insights

“When I decided to become a teacher, I didn’t know I was signing up for this.”

We hear statements like this everyday. Teachers are undervalued and it shows; recent articles have pointed to the fact that many are leaving the profession due to stress and burnout. We often hear teachers being recognized as “superheroes,” but it’s time to treat them equitably and with the professional respect they deserve. That is why we are launching the Honest Conversations campaign to highlight the value that teachers play in the classroom. The video below represents the challenges and opportunities that our teachers and students have faced over the past year.

Education is in the midst of a transition -- one that was only accelerated by the pandemic. At Cambium we believe that, to usher in this new era of education, three things need to happen:

• Teachers need to be valued as the important professionals they are. Valuing teachers is at the core of Cambium’s beliefs. While we provide educational technology tools, we firmly believe that those tools are only one part of the equation; students need teachers in order to have their education and overall wellness needs met.
• Equity needs to be prioritized to ensure all students and teachers have the access and support they need. According to Cambium CEO John Campbell, the way to prioritize equity is by simplifying the learning and teaching experience, delivering solutions that build confidence and making the most of every learning moment.
• Technology needs to lead the way. Our tools prioritize Cambium’s three essential elements of simplicity, certainty and now to help make teachers feel valued and to help their students in the moment with the challenges that they face.

As I reflect on what teachers have been through this year, I am reminded of our Essential Educator Awards, which recognized three teachers from across the country who helped solve critical challenges in the classroom during an unprecedented school year. In the inaugural year of the awards, we got to connect with three incredible teachers who brought to life our survey results.

Lauren Calvert from Katy, Texas wrote in her recent blog post, “I see everyone around me pitching in to do their part in ensuring that we are teaching students the value of resilience and grit.” Sofia Inguanzo-Perez from Miami-Dade, FL believes, “There is always a silver lining to all situations, especially during a pandemic. Teachers are people put on earth to enhance that silver lining and to celebrate our students’ efforts, rather than to focus on the negativity around the world.”

I couldn’t agree more with these teachers, and hope that they feel hopeful and proud to work with Cambium as we continue driving these conversations. It’s all for them.

Be on the lookout for #HonestConversations on social media and beyond.