Teacher turnover rates have surged post-pandemic, reaching 10% in the 2021–22 school year and escalating to 16% nationally in the following year, with elementary teacher turnover notably 37% higher than the average. Despite concerns, this turnover presents opportunities for recent education graduates. Two Minot State University alumnae, Hailey Mirano and Sophie Cronin, swiftly found roles in education after graduation. Mirano, balancing part-time childcare and full-time substitute teaching, highlights the lack of preparation for managing behavioural challenges in the classroom. Similarly, Cronin, a student-athlete, faces difficulties asserting herself as a new hire fresh out of college. Both acknowledge the importance of setting boundaries and adapting to generational differences among teachers and students.
