Teacher Resignation Highlights Staffing Crisis at GRPS

News Summary

Malori Salamango, a resource teacher at Southwest Elementary School, has resigned amid protests for better teacher wages and support in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Her departure underscores the significant staffing shortages, with nearly 88 teacher vacancies reported in the district. Salamango’s concerns over excessive workloads and inadequate resources highlight ongoing issues affecting teacher retention. The Grand Rapids Education Association has advocated for increased pay, but negotiations remain tense. As the three-year contract expiration looms, the current situation raises fears of further resignations and increased strain on the district’s teaching staff.

Grand Rapids, MI – Malori Salamango, a resource teacher at Southwest Elementary School – Academia Bilingue, announced her resignation during the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) Board of Education meeting on May 12. This decision comes amid growing protests advocating for better wages and support for teachers within the district. Salamango’s resignation highlights the ongoing staffing challenges and the pressures faced by educators in the area.

Salamango had served as a resource teacher for two years, where she provided individualized instruction to students with disabilities. She voiced concerns over her ability to adequately support her students due to overwhelming workloads. As of the meeting, GRPS reported a significant teacher shortage with 87.9 teacher vacancies, including 33% in special education and 31% in elementary teaching positions. Salamango’s caseload had increased beyond the recommended maximum for resource teachers, rising from 21 to 25 students, further underscoring the challenges teachers face in the district.

Prior to Salamango’s resignation, the Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA) organized a protest advocating for higher teacher pay. The GREA is currently involved in a collective bargaining process that has stretched over the past year, seeking a 7.5% salary increase for teachers. In contrast, the district has proposed a 1.5% pay raise, leading to increased tension and dissatisfaction among educators. GRPS Board President Kymberlie Davis acknowledged the need for improved compensation for teachers while also stressing the importance of managing the district’s budget.

Salamango’s decision to leave was not a reflection of her dedication to her students or her school, but rather a response to systemic issues impacting teacher retention and morale. Her resignation falls within a broader trend, as many educators are leaving GRPS due to unfavorable working conditions and pay. The GRPS has been criticized for having the lowest average teacher salary among 21 public school districts in Kent County, which has contributed to a continuous cycle of staff departures.

Despite the ongoing negotiations and protests, GRPS has not commented specifically on Salamango’s resignation but emphasized its commitment to reaching an agreement with teachers. Salamango’s resignation symbolizes the critical need for more robust support for teaching staff, who continue to express concerns over their workloads and the lack of resources available to them.

The role of a special education resource teacher, which Salamango occupied, requires substantial instructional time and personal attention to meet the diverse needs of students. The current situation in GRPS illustrates widespread discontent among educators regarding pay and working conditions. As the district’s current three-year contract for teachers is set to expire next month, the climate of uncertainty and frustration among staff could lead to further resignations if not addressed promptly.

Union representatives and educators attending the recent board meeting called for improved communication, transparency in the bargaining process, and increased support for teachers to foster a more conducive learning environment. Teacher workload, pay disparities, and inadequate support systems are pressing issues that must be confronted to prevent further erosion of the teaching workforce in Grand Rapids Public Schools.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• MLive: Grand Rapids Teacher Resigns
• Wikipedia: Teacher Burnout
• MLive: Grand Rapids Teachers Union Protests
• Google Search: Teacher Pay Disparities
• Fox17: Parents and Teachers Criticize GRPS
• Google Scholar: Teacher Working Conditions
• Wood TV: Parents Concerned About GRPS Administration
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
• WZZM: GRPS Leon Hendrix
• Google News: Grand Rapids Public Schools