For decades educators in the “land of opportunities” have been enveloped in a downward trend of dwindling morale, with teachers being increasingly burdened by low salaries, insufficient resources, and administrative ordeals. COVID-19 further fanned the flames intensifying the crisis, pushing educators teetering on the brink of exhaustion and disillusionment.
Yet, amid the prevailing gloom, a surprising and unprecedented shift has surfaced- teacher morale, which had dipped to a staggering -13 in 2023, has now risen to +18 in the 2024-25 academic year according to the EdWeek Research Center’s Teacher Morale Index.
While the rise in morale may appear to be a promising trend, education advocates forewarn that it may not be sustainable without catering to the underlying challenges plaguing the profession. Issues such as inadequate staffing, ineffective leadership, student discipline problems, and stagnant wages continue to cast long shadows over teacher well-being. The question at the forefront is: Can this momentum be thrived and what schools do to avoid another sharp morale plunge?
What made teacher morale improve in 2024?
Drawing from the latest survey insights, educators have emphatically shown that financial gains cannot solve the crisis alone. Instead, comprehensive reforms in staffing, leadership, classroom management, and mental health support are also fair players in the game determining the future of morale improvements. Here are some factors that might have propelled the upward trend in the motivation of teachers.
Post-pandemic stability: A key factor
However, as physical classes have got back on one’s feet and political constraints have loosened, teachers reported a slight sense of stability, fuelling a morale boost. Getting back to normal classroom routines and reducing uncertainty in policy implementation enabled educators to re-associate with their passion for teaching.
Financial gains: Modest yet impactful
Another significant factor impacting the morale spike was the marginal increase in teacher compensation. According to the RAND Corporation’s State of the American Teacher survey, the average teacher received a salary hike of $2,055 in 2024. While this increase fell far short of the $16,000 raise teachers desired, it still provided a much-needed financial cushion.
Notably, the survey highlighted that pay raises were especially important for teachers of colour. Approximately, 18% of Black teachers, 19% of Hispanic teachers, and 17% of Asian teachers mentioned that higher pay was the primary factor that could improve their morale.
Despite a sigh of relief, financial compensation is not the kingpin sustaining the lifeline of teacher’s morale for a longer period of time. Advocates believe that systemic alterations within schools, such as a surge in staffing, enhanced leadership support, and better working conditions are pivotal to creating lasting morale improvements.
Key factors that can keep the momentum going
Educators in the US have made it clear that a fat paycheque cannot sustain them. They need real changes in the classrooms.
According to the EdWeek Research survey on teacher morale in US classrooms, these are a few factors that educators want to implement to improve the current state of education in the nation.
Increase staffing and cap class sizes: The undeniable top priority
If there’s one resounding consensus among teachers across the country, it’s this: schools need more staff. An overwhelming 89% of teachers surveyed agreed that reducing class sizes and hiring additional teaching staff would significantly boost their morale.
The rationale stems from the fact that demand is deeply entrenched in daily classroom realities. Overcrowded classrooms especially in core subjects like mathematics, science, and technical studies, have made it increasingly difficult for teachers to offer personalised attention to students. Teachers also emphasise severe safety risks in subjects like woodwork, chemistry, and sports where large student-to-teacher ratios can lead to harmful situations.
Moreover, teachers are not just urging for more teachers, they are unequivocally demanding extended support from the staff such as paraprofessionals, mental health counselors, and substitute teachers. In Utah, where teacher shortages have been most acute, 53% of educators indicated that increasing staffing would be the single most effective morale booster according to US media reports.
Failing to align this critical need may put the morale gain at a vulnerable position, making it crucial for schools to prioritise staffing improvements immediately.
Strengthen leadership support and improve discipline measures
Another striking insight from the survey was the urgent demand for stronger administrative leadership and clear disciplinary measures. Teachers ranked leadership improvement as the third most influential factor impacting their morale. However, among teachers with extremely low morale (rated at -14 on the index), leadership support was identified as the most critical element needing change.
The lack of administrative support is most evident when it comes to student discipline. Teachers expressed widespread frustration about inconsistent disciplinary actions, lack of parent accountability, and leniency toward disruptive student behavior.
According to the EdWeek’s survey, 47% of teachers stated that their morale would drastically improve if schools enforced stricter disciplinary measures, including suspensions or expulsions for repeated misconduct.
Impose strict cellphone restrictions in classrooms
The survey highlighted one of the most unexpected yet highly impactful findings from the survey, which is the growing frustration of teachers over the unmonitored use of cell phones in the classroom. According to the data, 82% of school teachers and 73% of middle school teachers reported that limiting cellphone usage would profoundly bolster their morale.
The pandemic somehow incorporated distractions in the study schedule of students driven by social media addiction and mobile device dependency. Teachers expressed immense frustration, noting that excessive usage of cell phones in classrooms has blurred discipline, decreased academic engagement, and a surge in disruptive behaviour among students.
Implementing school-wide cellphone policies, such as mobile-free classrooms or locker shortages during class hours, could massively bolster learning outcomes while boosting teacher morale.
Expand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in curriculum
The survey also revealed a compelling yet polarizing insight — 43% of teachers stated that increasing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) content in school curricula would improve their morale, while 16% expressed opposition, and 41% believed it would make no difference.
Interestingly, states like Oregon, New York, and North Carolina showed strong support for DEI expansion, while conservative states like Iowa and Mississippi showed resistance. However, teachers in predominantly white schools reported that the lack of diverse curriculum content significantly affected their morale.
Nonetheless, DEI initiatives in schools are not only confined to racial inclusivity but are also about fostering belongingness and understanding within school environments. This, in turn, can lower teacher burnout by formulating a more harmonious and inclusive academic environment.
Provide mental health days and affordable healthcare
While increased salaries remain a long-standing demand, teachers also highlighted the urgent need for mental health support and affordable healthcare as a means to boost morale.
While increased salary remains a long-cemented demand, teachers also focus on the urgent need for mental health support and affordable healthcare as a means to accelarate morale. The survey said that 56% of teachers supported the introduction of mental wellness days, while 53% of teachers demanded better, affordable healthcare. It also mentioned that 64% of Gen Z and Millennial teachers said their morale would improve if given access to regular mental wellness breaks.
Integrating wellness days, cutting off healthcare costs, and expanding mental health support could significantly lessen teacher burnout while promoting higher morale and retention.
Can this morale boost be sustained or will It collapse again?
While the sharp 31-point increase in the Teacher Morale Index is appreciated, education experts warn it remains shallow and fragile. Without structural alterations in staffing, leadership, classroom discipline, and mental health support, the current rise in morale may wither within the next two years.
Sustaining this momentum will mandate immediate action from school districts, state policymakers, and educational leaders. Investing in teacher well-being is not just a professional obligation- it is a crucial national priority. Failing to act now could unravel the skin-deep financial gains this year, further plunging teacher morale into another historic low.
