Edgewood ENVOY
THE
Edgewood High School’s Student Newspaper
March,2019
Teacher Shortage Looms Nationally By Ashley Van de Velde As the third quarter draws to a close, a surreal feeling is hitting many seniors: there is only one more quarter left in their high school career. Some may look upon this final quarter with nostalgia, joy, or concern. In any case, many seniors will soon be opening up their final college decisions and deciding where they want to go for what their potential major is. Very few seniors will be opting to enter into any area of teaching in the future, though. Far fewer college-aged students are hoping to become teachers these days. The drop in people entering the teaching profession is causing a shortage of these instructors. According to the New York Post, 4.6 percent of college freshmen planned to major in education. This number is down from the 10 percent that previously planned to do so in the 1970s. Of the seniors I spoke with, only one said she might major in education. She also added that she plans to use that major “to not be a teacher,” but for something else. At the same time, the amount of students attending school is also spiking. This leads to bigger class sizes. In order to make these classes smaller, countless numbers of new teachers would have to be employed. There are not enough teachers to accommodate this growth in students, so class sizes con-
tinue to grow and grow. Edgewood High School seniors say that they would not enter into the teaching career because of the low salary. They also said that having to deal with unruly kids would not be the most appealing. With a lack of teachers, the education field will be needing more instructors or will be looking for a different solution to this problem. When I talked to seniors, they all had different and similar reasons for why they want to attend college. They are excited to be out on their own in new places and leave the house. They want to have “new experiences and meet different people.” Another senior said that she wants to go to college get an education “to study what [she] wants.” High school is marked by many credits that must be fulfilled for certain classes. This often means basic classes and fewer classes concerning what the student is interested in but more what he or she is forced to take. Most of all, seniors are anxious to broaden their horizons, receive and expand upon their education, and have a community to share the great experiences that college life brings. Seniors also expressed the sentiment that they felt like going off to college was simply an obvious next step in order to “be educated” and “prepare for a bright and successful future.” Seniors said that
heading off to college is what it seems like one is supposed to do. It is true that those of this age group have been groomed with the idea that after high school one should attend college. The truth is that this path might not be for everybody, and that is what makes society operate. A lot of people want to go to college because they feel that it will set them up for a better livelihood. There is fact that jobs that require a college education can pay more money, and people often equate this with better lives for themselves. The spectrum was diverse when it came to what Edgewood seniors are hoping to major in. Some said they plan to major in biology, political science, business, journalism, international studies, or are simply still undecided. There is clearly a variety in the fields that students are interested in. Maybe the problem of too few teachers seems exacerbated and more students will change their minds and decide to enter the profession of teaching. College students often change their major and their mind about what they want to do as a career. As seniors will be heading on to their next chapter, whatever that may be, in the coming months they are confident that college will hopefully be a positive experience that will set them up well for their future.
Red Cross Blood Drive Returns
By Jordy Rothwell
The Red Cross Donating team will come to Edgewood High School once again to welcome any hardy blood donors who want to save lives. They will be bringing all of their supplies to the old campus middle school area on March 13 and will be collecting blood from only those who are brave enough from 7 to 2:30 pm. These volunteers for Red Cross have come to Edgewood for five blood drives here recently collecting 264 units. Each unit can save up to three lives. By having these drives, we at Edgewood alone have saved almost eight hundred lives. Algebra 2 teacher Holly Guenther brought this blood drive to Edgewood. When asked why she started this, she said, “I have had two close family members that have needed blood transfusions and understand the importance of having blood available
to save their lives.” She personally has donated to Red Cross over twenty times.
Other teachers and students who have donated have positive things to say about it. Mr. Regina has donated several times and is a double red blood donor. “Donating blood is a way to do things for people without them even knowing. The need is critical.” Over 309 students and teachers have participated at Edgewood’s blood drive, and 60 percent of those have been first-time donors. Junior Frankie Masciopinto, has donated several times to the blood drive. When asked why she donates, she said, “I donate because my parents are doctors and have told me how important it is to give blood because it saves lives.” She said also, “I like to do it because it’s accessible and easy. I like that I know it really makes a difference and that it’s a small thing I can do to help other people stay healthy.” Frankie encourages many others to donate, who haven’t already and
said, “It’s not that scary. You just need to not think about it and find a friend to go with you.” Anyone can volunteer for this drive or be a blood buddy. Blood buddies are people who hold their hands and talk to the people who donate blood. In order to donate, you have to be sixteen years of age, weigh 110 pounds and must be in good health and feeling well. You also have to be approved by the Red Cross team to give blood. signed up!
Mr. Regina donates “double reds.”