Pay Education Majors

Pay Education Majors

     Education is one of the few college majors that requires unpaid internships. Education is also one of the first areas of study that required placements as undergrad students. A valid question would be, “Why don’t education majors at college get paid for internships?” Those of us connected to education, call our residencies fieldwork and student teaching. Education students are required to go out in the field their very first semester.

     Internships are important in every area of study and even essential. Just like any range of expertise, teaching takes time, commitment, hard work, and practice. Schools are already underfunded. It would be a difficult task to convince the general public to point in the direction of paid placements. We need to find a better way. Why is it fair?

     There are many prestigious colleges and universities that do not even offer education as a major until the graduate level. Harvard and Penn both have graduate programs in education but not undergrad opportunities. What message is that sending? I prefer to have my children taught and influenced by the most qualified. We need to recruit and attract the top candidates for teaching. Unfortunately, teachers have a high rate of burnout and a low rate of recruitment.

     I admit I don’t have a “golden ticket” or an alternate magic, funding formula. Maybe, when colleges/universities get huge donations, they can allocate that money strictly for allowing their education students to have stipends to assist in their expenses like all the other departments. For instance, I know that the education department of my daughter’s university received a large endowment. Where did it go? There was still a tuition increase the following year. Crazy? We need to think differently to disrupt the status quo and change perception.

     When my oldest daughter was an education major, she watched as most of her friends received stipends and paid internships while she absorbed her experiences for free. When she came back home for a visit, two of her high school teachers said to her, “Why would you want to be a teacher? You’re really smart.” Wow! I guess they should have chosen one of those paid internships in another field of study.

     When we treat teachers like professionals, there will not be a teacher shortage or nearly as much burnout. Let us attract the best and allow them to follow their passion instead of society stealing their identities. New teachers should be encouraged to take calculated, creative risks, and our students will reap the benefits. As our students excel, so will our world. I sure am glad that I continue to follow my passions even if I didn’t get paid internships, and so should you.