The Teacher Preparation Mess

Part I: 8 years, 50 grand, & Your Soul

In this episode, Trina and Amanda delve into the complex and often misunderstood process of becoming a teacher in the United States, particularly in California. They discuss the extensive financial, emotional, and time investments required, highlighting how these barriers contribute to the current teacher shortage. The conversation explores the disparities in teacher preparatory programs, the bureaucratic hurdles faced by new teachers, and the systemic income inequality that prevents many potential educators from entering or staying in the profession. Through personal anecdotes and critical analysis, they shed light on the oppressive elements of the certification process and offer potential solutions for making it more accessible and equitable.

Part II: Take This Mess and Shove It!

In this episode, hosts Trina and Amanda delve into the teacher shortage crisis, focusing on the high costs and issues related to the teacher induction process. They are joined by Kelvin, who shares his experience of leaving the profession after just two years, despite the extensive financial and time investments required to become a teacher and the burdensome teacher induction process. They describe the ways in which schools pile more requirements on an already overstretched new teacher, and provide little to no support. They also explore the systemic issues within the education system and the broader impacts on the teaching profession and education quality. The episode aims to provide validation and insight to current teachers while offering an eye-opening perspective for administrators and the general public.

Part III: Real Talk

A year after recording their first episodes about the bizarre and oppressive teacher pay and preparation processes, Amanda and Trina chat with Jess and learn how bizarre things are in Nevada.  The three talk candidly about how utterly ridiculous and expensive this whole process is, and that the only way to get through it relatively unscathed is to have access to generational wealth.