Blog Behind the NIHF Scenes

Why Educators Need Innovative Solutions Now More than Ever

Behind the NIHF Scenes

To say these past few years have been difficult for educators is a massive understatement. From dealing with unexpected building closures to learning on the fly how to effectively teach in both remote and hybrid settings, today’s educators are being asked to do more than ever before.

Recently, the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest union representing close to 3 million educators, surveyed its members and found that a staggering 55% of educators intended to leave their profession earlier than they’d originally planned.

Additional survey results that the NEA found troubling include:

  • 90% of members reported that feeling burned out is a serious problem
  • 86% of members say they have seen more educators leaving the profession or retiring early since the start of the pandemic
  • 80% of members report that unfilled job openings have led to more work obligations for those who remain

“Without exception, every stop I made, from Kentucky to Oakland, I heard those similar stories of educators who were exhausted, overwhelmed, feeling unloved, disrespected,” said Becky Pringle, president of the NEA, explaining why the organization decided to conduct the survey.

Clearly, our current educational environment is not sustainable, and our teachers need resources and strategies to help them develop creative solutions and transform the status quo.

 

The Power of Invention Education

For over 30 years, the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF) has developed engaging, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programming that not only helps today’s students become the innovators of tomorrow, but also provides effective, job-embedded professional development to educators across the country.

Because our education programs are developed using lessons and stories from some of the world’s most revolutionary inventors, our NIHF Inductees, educators who implement our programs gain valuable insights and ideas they can apply throughout the school year. These experiences allow teachers to develop the Innovation Mindset essential skills and traits they can both use and instill in their students to unlock their creative potential.

Contact Us Today

In addition to job-embedded professional development opportunities, NIHF offers virtual and in-person workshops that can be fully customized to accommodate your district’s unique plans, in the summer or during the school year.

To learn more about how NIHF can provide immediate ESEA-qualified solutions to your teachers, we invite you to visit our website, or contact us today!

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