The State of Teaching in 2025: What Educators Are Really Saying
In preparation for our upcoming Wonder Years Teacher Summit, we reached out to ticketholders—educators spanning from kindergarten to high school, representing diverse subject areas from mathematics to health education. Their candid responses reveal a profession at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges while still deeply committed to their students' wellbeing and success.
Five clear themes emerged from our conversations that paint a portrait of the modern American classroom. Far from the simplified narratives that dominate policy discussions, these educators paint a nuanced picture of a profession navigating profound change while maintaining an unwavering commitment to students.
1. “The Practices We Have Exist for a World That No Longer Exists”
Perhaps the most striking theme across our interviews was the fundamental shift in student behavior, development, and learning readiness since the pandemic.
“The practices that we have, the best practices that we have exist for a world that no longer exists… That fabric doesn’t exist anymore.”
— Veteran Kindergarten Teacher
Aggression and Mental Health on the Rise
- This teacher reported an 80% increase in aggression toward educators in younger grades, mirroring national reports.
- The 2024 National Center for School Safety found that 83% of schools nationwide have observed higher behavioral incidents post-pandemic.
Takeaway: Children who missed key developmental windows need targeted social-emotional learning. Many educators told us they worry less about “academic catch-up” and more about a loss of social graces and empathy among students.
Summit Sessions Addressing These Challenges
- Keynote: “Generation Slow: Practical Strategies for Supporting Student Growth in an Age of Anxiety and Digital Distraction”
Dr. Jean Twenge will share research-based methods to help students rebuild essential social-emotional skills lost during lockdowns.
- Behavior Breakthroughs: Addressing Backtalk, Aggression, and Work Refusal
Allie Szczecinski will discuss proactive strategies to create a more emotionally secure classroom.
2. “I Actually Had Kids Admit That It Helped” — Technology’s Mixed Impact
The pandemic accelerated tech adoption, but many educators are rethinking its role.
“I feel like the retention of information is not as good… They just develop a lot of bad habits when they’re using technology in that way.”
— High School Math Teacher
Tech Overload vs. Targeted Use
- Some teachers see improvements in comprehension when shifting back to paper-based activities.
- A 2024 Rutgers University study found students who took handwritten notes performed 27% better on conceptual questions than peers using digital devices.
Takeaway: While tech can offer engagement and convenience, it can also distract from deep learning. Educators want clear strategies for striking the right balance.
Summit Sessions to Support Thoughtful Tech Use
- “AI-Powered Teaching: Boosting Productivity and Impact with ChatGPT”
Christine Weis will showcase how to harness AI for planning and differentiation without overloading students with screen time.
- “Level Up Learning: Gamification Strategies to Keep Gen Z Focused”
Katie Bak explores how to integrate game elements productively rather than relying on constant device-based activities.
3. “The Amount of Work More Than Doubles” — Teacher Burnout and Workload
Another recurring theme was the unsustainable workload facing educators, fueling a national teacher shortage.
“It more than doubles… the amount of work that I do to write all these extra assessments for kids.”
— High School Mathematics Teacher
Burnout and the Shrinking Workforce
- A 2024 RAND Corporation study showed the average teacher works 54 hours per week, far exceeding contracted time.
- According to the 2025 NEA Workforce Outlook, 300,000 teaching positions remain unfilled—a 67% increase from 2019.
Takeaway: The constant juggling of lesson planning, grading, and administrative demands erodes morale and pushes many out of the profession prematurely. Teachers crave not only emotional support but also real, structural changes.
Summit Sessions Targeting Teacher Wellness
- “You Were Born For This! Reclaiming Passion and Protecting Your Peace”
Trinity Wallace presents practical tools to help teachers set boundaries, manage stress, and rediscover joy in the classroom.
- “How to Overcome Perfectionism That Leads to Burnout”
Robyn Coughlin will guide educators in identifying and reducing the perfectionist tendencies that contribute to chronic stress.
4. “I Feel Both Emboldened and Understanding It Doesn’t Come Without Consequence” — Political and Parental Pressures
Finally, navigating an increasingly polarized landscape emerged as a formidable challenge, especially on health, identity, and curriculum content.
“I think that will probably be one of the most challenging things for me—walking a fine line with parents… You don’t wanna be too to the left or too to the right.”
— Health Educator
Polarization and “Preference Falsification”
- Over 300 bills introduced since 2022 restrict certain classroom discussions on race, gender, or sexuality (Education Week).
- Teachers in more permissive states feel responsible for colleagues under stricter environments, noting “educational inequality by geography.”
Takeaway: The wide disparity in policies leaves teachers caught in the crossfire of political and parental pressures, often silencing crucial discussions. Many feel emboldened to advocate for students yet fear backlash.
Summit Sessions on Parent Dynamics
- “Handling Hard Talks: Building Trust with Parents Through Communication”
Ashley Bell focuses on transparent communication strategies that ease political tensions and build collaboration.
- “From Frustration to Collaboration: Building Bridges with Parents of Students Transitioning to Adulthood”
Susan Traugh offers insights on bridging ideological gaps and focusing on shared goals for student success.
5. “We’re Giving Students Curriculum Their Brains Aren’t Ready For”
A final thread was the mismatch between policy-driven academics and real developmental readiness.
“We’re giving students curriculum that they’re just not—their brains aren’t ready for… The very first message is you’re not enough.”
— Kindergarten Teacher
Policy vs. Practice
- Alliance for Childhood (2024) notes kindergarten standards have “accelerated by nearly two grade levels” since the late ’90s.
- Implementation gaps persist: only 18% of proven interventions maintain success once scaled (Carnegie Foundation 2025).
Takeaway: Teachers need the freedom to adapt policies and curriculum to their students’ developmental needs, bridging the gap between one-size-fits-all mandates and true readiness.
Summit Sessions for Classroom Engagement & Differentiation
- “Commanding the Classroom: Strategies for Managing and Engaging Large Classes”
Dale Duncan shares practical techniques for meeting diverse learner needs—even in big groups.
- “Learning Through Doing: Building Interpersonal Skills in Real-World Projects”
Sara Segar emphasizes active, project-based methods to align with developmental stages.
What Teachers Really Need — and Where the Summit Fits
Despite the formidable challenges, the educators we spoke with remain deeply committed. They’re not seeking magic bullets but practical solutions rooted in research and authentic respect for their professional expertise.
“I think people who go to conferences wanna feel like they’ve learned something, but they also wanna feel like they’ve contributed something. As educators, that’s kind of the gig.”
Wonder Years Teacher Summit aims to do just that. Beyond the sessions from experts, we’re creating spaces for educators to dialogue, reflect, and co-develop resources. By centering teacher voices, we hope to offer:
- Community Support
Virtual community forum where you can meet peers facing similar struggles. - Research-Backed Strategies
Speakers like Dr. Jean Twenge and Allie Szczecinski bring the latest data, paired with concrete tactics you can apply immediately. - Practical Takeaways
Get bullet-point summaries, lesson ideas, and digital templates you can start using next Monday.
Join the Conversation, Shape the Future
Ultimately, the path to educational improvement doesn’t run solely through legislatures, testing companies, or technology firms. It runs through the classrooms where dedicated educators show up every day to serve an ever-changing student population.
As one educator summarized what makes these gatherings valuable:
“Understanding that educators are not alone… Recognition that people are listening and concerned about day-to-day challenges.”
If we genuinely care about the future of American education, we must start by respecting—and amplifying—the voices of those who know our students best.
Have thoughts or experiences to share?
Contact us directly with your stories to keep this conversation going. Let’s make sure teachers are heard—every step of the way.
Ready to get inspired?
Access over 15 hours of expert-led, on-demand sessions tailored to empower teachers with strategies for real-world classroom challenges—all available anytime within a 90-day period.
Ready to get inspired?
Access over 15 hours of expert-led, on-demand sessions tailored to empower teachers with strategies for real-world classroom challenges—all available anytime within a 90-day period.
