Uncertified and Unqualified? Who is Teaching Our Children?

Monday, March 1, 2025

Season 1 | Episode 173

A discussion about the impact that uncertified teachers can have on child’s learning and education.

Last year, nearly 400,000 uncertified teachers were reported to be employed in school districts across the country, largely to combat a teacher shortage. In addition, it has been reported that many states have lowered the standards and requirements teachers once needed to enter the classroom. Tonight, Dr. Phil will discuss the impact these solutions could be having American students. Dr. Phil will speak with Amber Shields, a former principal and non-profit education leader who claims districts have prioritized filling teaching vacancies over the education of the students, which can result in months of lost learning. Dr. Phil will also speak with Jessenia who says she he was hired as a long-term substitute without even a formal interview, credentials, or prior experience. Jessenia admits, a student truly passionate about a particular subject could probably teach the class better than she could. Plus, Dr. Phil will speak with Aurora who says she was stunned when she received an email from her son's principal that his 6th grade science teacher is uncertified and had been instructing him for months. Aurora says she had no clue that schools were even allowed to hire a teacher that had no certification, and says there is nothing she can do, because her son is required to take the class, and district is not going to fire the teacher.

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