Searcy, Ar. (LP) — We have a few new teachers at Searcy High School this year.  Some being noticeable and some sadly not.  The SHS staff is getting bigger and better with the new additions. A good amount of teachers retired last year, and some have been replaced. Mr. Snow (English), and Mrs. Bennet (Chemistry) are some good examples.  Being a new teacher at a new school can be frightening and hard to fit in.

To some students, you’re expected to be on the same level as past teachers.  One of the new teachers at SHS, Ms. Tawny Beaulieu, is an example.  Ms. Beaulieu is a 10th grade English teacher who had previously taught at Lonoke. She is stepping in after the retirement of Mr. Snow at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.  Her favorite aspect of teaching is “Building positive relationships with my students,” said Ms. Beaulieu.  Building positive relationships with students is a great thing to do, especially in today’s times. Before becoming an english teacher she, “was a cosmetology educator before teacher.” After that, she studied for four years to become a english teacher.  Now that she is here, her main objective is to help students.  Ms. Beaulieu is focused on helping students, but that is also one of the hardest parts of teaching to her.  “Making sure my students are well mentally,” she said, is one of hardest aspects of teaching.

A lot of schools are having trouble hiring new educators. It’s would seem to most that it’s a dying profession but that’s not the case. The profession of teachers is actually growing. Teacher employment is expected to grow 4%, in high schools, from 2018-2028.  For pre-secondary, pre-school, secondary, etc, it’s expected to grow around 4% also.  It’s growing as fast as other occupations, but the employment growth is ultimately in the hands of the state. School budgets can be cut down, which results in teachers getting let go and new teachers not getting hired. As of the fall of 2018, there are around 3.2 million full-time-equivalent teachers according to federal projections.  Most teachers that retire or quit get immediately replaced the next year.

The future of the teaching profession is looking bright, and that’s a good thing.  New teachers are always a nice addition.  It might be hard for some districts to hire new staff but it’s a growing profession in general. All SHS students should go say hello and take some time to meet Ms. Beaulieu, whether you have her this year or not!