The pandemic has taken a toll on our workers, educators and students, mentally and physically. 

“That was like legitimately my New Year’s resolution, just to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Christina Villegas high school Spanish teacher said. 

Schools all over the state of Michigan have been closing because of staff shortages and even student shortages. Why is this happening? This question has a couple answers based on who you ask. These staff shortages cause more than school and business temporary closures.

Staff in schools have been on high demand. Schools are losing their staff for a couple different reasons. A big reason is that they have been stretching themselves thin for the past two years helping kids, but also trying to keep up with their even unpredictable life with COVID-19 like having to see students over screens, then later in person but also having some kids still online. Nobody knows how the days are going to go or the months ahead.

Teachers are required to create assignments, notes and tests for both online and in person students. This can be frustrating and time consuming, especially since not just school time is being used but teachers are school planning when they should be focused on their home life. Though some people believe that it is because teachers don’t get paid enough for the work that they do for students. But, if that were true, staff shortages would be affecting only the educators, yet they are also being seen in the lunch staff, bus drivers, and office workers. that have been moving schools or not present because COVID-19 circumstances.