How would you deal with America’s teacher shortage?

"1. Pay more. A LOT MORE. 2. Make sure pay raises don't go to increased cost of medical insurance-- our insurance rates increased 30% this year and our raises have never been more than 4% 3. Give more planning and prep time so grading and planning can be done at work. 4. "Parents' Rights" for one student should not supersede the rights of the many to experience diverse curriculum 5. Focus on the humanities and human beings instead of human doings and "workforce readiness" 6. Fix the pension plan. Full retirement at 55."

• "Start treating teachers like the highly educated, highly creative professionals that they are. This means publicizing them in a positive manner, paying them fairly, getting them the time and support they need to actually do their jobs well."

"As a teacher, the biggest burst of energy for retention in my career has come from my administration being supportive of innovative teaching practices and giving me time in my day to pursue those goals along with responsibilities as a teacher leader. I think if there were more opportunities for us to further our practice while being given (paid) time to do so, more teachers would feel supported in their craft."

• "I think it mostly boils down to issues of respect. We work in a field that requires degrees and ongoing education yet we are treated like unskilled, hourly workers. We often work 50+ hours a week if we want to do right by our students but are only paid for 35-40 and expected to be content with that because we "knew what we were getting into". Very few people want to do our job (as seen in your stats from today's article), but criticism is often scathing. And at work -- especially if we choose to work in "tough" schools -- we face a revolving door of leadership hired for quick fixes who lay the blame for failing schools entirely at the feet of the teachers. I love my job, but I wouldn't recommend it to other people."

"Pay us what we are worth in the private sector. My education and experience are just as valuable in education as in the corporate world. Then, treat us like the professionals we are: we should be designing the curriculum to best meet our students’ needs. Lastly, teach your children to respect all people- other children and adults. Value education for transforming power that it has."

• "HIRE IN AREAS THAT TEACHERS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO TAKE OVER. We need more school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, librarians, music/arts teachers, etc. Let us focus on doing our part: educating students. Then, please don’t micromanage us—or any of those other folks in the positions listed."

"Resolving the shortage of educators requires examine of why there is a shortage; politicizing education, inadequate competition, devaluation of educational attainment, and diminishing esteem of the teaching profession. The solutions could include resorting to evidence/fact-based educational content, increase compensation and benefits, recognize and reward educational attainment, and celebrate educators and their impact."