As Southwest Florida students head back to the classroom the state's teacher shortage continues. Recent stats show that more teachers are quitting but one man is making it his mission to keep and inspire good teachers not only around the country but in Lee County.
Going back to work after a perfect vacation can be tough and for teachers, it can be especially difficult after two months off.
While most of us may use a good cup of coffee to give us that nudge, the Lee County School District is using much more to inspire teachers like Jason Gallon.
“Getting back in that routine does take a minute,” Gallon admitted.
He is among a large group of teachers who last week attended an event that the district put on to inspire returning teachers.
Morgan Wright of North Fort Myers attended that event.
“School has to be fun. If it's not fun how do you get kids to buy into learning to begin with,” Wright said.
It’s a point the district wanted to drive home by inviting renowned Educator Ron Clark to inspire teachers.
“I love looking into teachers' eyes and seeing a glimmer,” Clark said.
However, Clark admits that the glimmer in many teacher's eyes has been fading.
“Some places I go in the country it's kind of like you could see dead eyes because they're so worn out,” Clark stated.
He said that is happening for a good reason. He believes the number one issue teachers are leaving is burnout.
“It's a hard job. Parents in America can be difficult at times. They have unrealistic expectations,” Clark explained.
Clark was named Disney's American Teacher of the Year. He's also a New York Times Best Selling Author and his classes have been honored at the White House.
His teaching experiences are the focus of an uplifting film “The Ron Clark Story,” starring Matthew Perry.
He also serves as a teacher and administrator at the Ron Clark Academy, an award-winning and internationally acclaimed middle school in Atlanta, Georgia.
His message to Lee County teachers is to laugh and have joy.
“If we have good energy in the building the kids are going to feel that,” Clark explained.
Teachers like Christina Helfel described Clark's positivity and energy as infectious.
“It gives the boost maybe that you need coming off a two-month break,” Helfel said.
But it's not just teachers Clark wants to reach and inspire but parents as well.
“If you can be a parent who uplifts teachers, supports teachers, and trusts teachers you can go a long way to keep a teacher in the profession because we're losing too many great ones,” Clark concluded.
At a time when the world needs more of these childhood heroes called teachers.