Providence Teacher’s Union says “basic respect” why teachers are leaving

96 open teaching positions in the Providence School District points to problems with morale among staff.

PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) –

With nearly a hundred open teaching positions at Providence Public Schools in all grade levels, the City is scrambling to fill vacancies by offering incentives unmatched by anywhere else in the state.

With sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000, up to $3,000 in relocation reimbursement and up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness for teachers of color, President of the Providence Teacher’s Union Maribeth Calabro says money isn’t the problem. “Your physical and mental health has to come before a stipend, a bonus etcetera,” she shared. “Basic respect is the number one reason that I have received from the majority of folks who have left our district.”

Although the District has pointed to the pandemic and a nationwide shortage of educators as potential reasons for the vacancies, Calabro says other Rhode Island public school systems aren’t sharing their sorrows. “There are teachers that are leaving the profession across the country, but our teachers aren’t leaving the profession. They’re leaving to go to our neighboring cities and towns.”

While President of the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance Ron Beaupre admits their district does have 10 vacant teaching positions in hard to fill areas such as Math, Library, Special Education and MLL support, they’re being filled with educators fleeing from Providence. “We have had some resignations to move to other districts, however, they are far less than in Providence,” Beaupre said in a statement. “There is a national crisis regarding individuals seeking to enter and remain in the education field, and we have certainly felt it in Pawtucket to some degree, but not nearly as much as in Providence.  The Providence take-over has failed, and the Rhode Island Department of Education has made the Providence School District the least desired in which to deliver our craft.”

Providence Superintendent Javier Montanez says they are working with the Human Resources to uncover the reasons behind teachers leaving the district, and that he understands the profession can be stressful. “Myself working as a teacher, an Assistant Principal, a Principal, and now in this position – I’ve been around the block a few times and I know there are days that are very stressful. I don’t take that away, but I also know that there are days that are joyful.

Those days, Calabro says, are the reason she and others keep teaching. “Those of us that stay, stay for the kids.”