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1/3 of Seattle teachers say they're not sticking around in 5 years

caption: Third grade teacher Lucero Heredia-Valdovinos talks with students about masks during the first day of school at Mount View Elementary school on Thursday, September 2, 2021, in Seattle.
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Third grade teacher Lucero Heredia-Valdovinos talks with students about masks during the first day of school at Mount View Elementary school on Thursday, September 2, 2021, in Seattle.
KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer

Only 1/3 of Seattle Public School teachers say they see themselves still working for the school district in five years, according to a new study from the Seattle Education Association.

The association, which serves as the teacher's union, also found that a third of educators said they plan to leave the district, or get out of education altogether in five years.

The union says these findings show the district needs to "take action if it's going to retain experienced educators."

This summer, the Union and the district will negotiate what's being described as the first full contract opening since the pandemic. The current contract expires on August 31.

The survey of union members also found that:

  • 93% are working beyond contract hours
  • 25% are working 10+ additional hours per week
  • 77% don’t get the support they need from the superintendent and other district leadership to be successful in their jobs.
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