The Invisible Workforce

Perception

“Those who can’t do, teach.” A famous quote that is not only inaccurate in its quote, but also in its meaning. This quote is attributed to George Bernard Shaw in his 1903 play Man and Superman, but its origin goes much further back. In Antiquity Aristotle was quoted as saying “Those who can, do; those who understand, teach.” That statement carries a very different connotation.

Here in America, teachers are not widely regarded as “highly qualified” individuals in the business and corporate world. Some of these factors come down to the notion that teachers lack a broader knowledge of the business world or that their skills and experiences do not translate to non-education roles. Some believe that teachers lack real world experience and do not understand the pressures, complexities, or deadlines of the private sector. There also seems to be a belief that teachers do not focus on tangible outcomes that are not quantifiable like sales figures, market share, or project completion rates.

This perception leads teachers to also be paid at a lower rate than their equally educated and qualified college graduates. The wage gap has been widening, but on average is about 25% less. Some may attribute this to fewer work days for teachers who typically work 200 day years as opposed to a more traditional 240 day schedule of the private sector (accounting for holidays and PTO). Many teachers accept this as a fair trade off, but I reject the notion that scheduled time off is equal to flexible PTO. Taking into account only work days in a year, these numbers do add up.

A Misunderstood Skillset

Looking more deeply at things such as soft skills, which are now often called employability skills, the private sector also does not recognize this in the teaching profession. Skills such as communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability are often cited as skills employers want, but they don’t recognize how teachers possess those skills. Soft skills are not typically thought to be something that can be taught through education, but rather gained through interaction.

I would argue that teachers not only possess all of the skills that a prospective employer wants and needs, but they do so at an expert level. Teachers are excellent communicators. They use verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual communication each day to a reluctant group of individuals all with specific needs and a wide variety of skills and aptitudes. An effective teacher must be an expert communicator and must do so in very diverse ways for their diverse audience. I don’t think I would say the same thing about those in the private sector that are communicating with more like minded individuals and entities.

Teachers are also excellent leaders and managers of time and populations. This is also a crucial role on a daily basis for the classroom. You could also argue that it’s crucial on a minute by minute basis as well. Simply managing a group of people is difficult, but doing so with such diversity and with the ever changing dynamic, accounting for technical, physical, and emotional needs of the group while not neglecting the whole, is a massive undertaking. It is often said that teachers make more minute-by-minute decisions than surgeons and air traffic controllers. This not only requires great skill, but great endurance. It is no wonder that teachers also have a high rate of burnout.

Teachers are also experts in problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, organization, and emotional intelligence. Looking at even this short list of skills, you might be inclined to know more about the person who possesses these skills at an expert level. Sadly, as soon as these items are put in the context of “education”, they diminish in their impact. Why does the corporate world dismiss teachers and minimize their skills and impact on society?

Challenging Perception

If you think back to late spring of 2020, most families were locked in their homes with each other. Businesses and schools closed their doors to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Families were now forced to interact, and in doing so, work more closely with their students from home. I’m sure many of you can recall the praise on social media for teachers and what we deal with on a daily basis as parents began to experience the frustration and struggle of education. That quickly faded as we transitioned to online learning and parents went back to their own jobs. The focus that was required for parents to help their student became discontent with how their student was performing in this new and challenging platform. Both teachers and students adapted, but the sentiment of the praise for teachers never returned.

This is a familiar narrative: a dedicated teacher, passionate about education, decides to transition out of the classroom. Perhaps it's for better work-life balance, higher pay, or simply a new challenge. Yet, when they enter the private job sector, they often encounter a perplexing obstacle: the perception that their extensive experience in the classroom doesn't translate into "real-world" job skills. The private sector often dismisses the invaluable expertise teachers possess, overlooking a vast pool of highly capable and adaptable professionals.

Strategic Advantage

Teachers are some of the most qualified people with employability skills and the aptitude to learn new concepts to a deep level. The hard skills can be taught within the industry you are working, but the compassion and drive that a teacher has is an innate quality that any employer would love to have. List out the qualities of your ideal candidate, and then cross-reference that list with those of a teacher. I guarantee that you will not only complete your list, but recognize that teachers possess more qualities than you ever thought to list. 92% of talent professionals say soft skills are more important than hard skills.

I encourage the professional world to start recruiting teachers into their industry. Obviously this would worsen the already short staffed schools and teacher shortage that is plaguing our nation. 44% of schools reported having at least 1 vacancy in the 2021-2022 school year, up 24% from the previous year.  It might also influence others to become teachers in order to build the intangible skills that you develop and hone while being a teacher and helping to relieve the teacher shortage burden that is currently happening.

Teachers Transitioning Careers

If you are a teacher looking for a career change, learn to articulate your valuable skills to private sector employers. Hiring managers need to discover the untapped potential of educators for their organization. Don’t undervalue the teaching profession. The narrative around teachers’ career transitions needs a fundamental shift. It is time for the private sector to move beyond the outdated perceptions and recognize the vast, untapped potential of educators by understanding the depth and breadth of their transferable skills. Companies can gain access to a resilient, adaptable, and highly skilled workforce.

Embracing teachers in the private sector isn’t just about offering them new opportunities; it’s about enriching workplaces with a unique blend of leadership, empathy, and strategic thinking that can drive innovation and foster success. Teachers are accustomed to going above and beyond, investing personal time and energy to achieve positive outcomes. This strong work ethic translates seamlessly into the professional commitment in the private sector. It’s time to truly see the invisible workforce for the invaluable asset they are.

What steps can your organization take to better recognize and recruit the incredible talent pool of educators? jeffball610@gmail.com