A journalism teacher from Omaha said she was among nearly 40 teachers who were considering leaving Central High School at the end of the school year. She and a student she advises requested the data from the Omaha Public School District after hearing whispers in the hallways. Two educators talk about their decision to leave and the future of their field. Both teachers said it was an incredibly difficult decision to make. They said they love teaching and Central, but it’s time to walk away. “I always wanted to work at Central, it was kind of my dream job in teaching,” said Brian Tyrey. Brian Tyrey is a Latin teacher at Central High School. .He is a former eagle and his love for school runs deep. But after this year, he leaves. “I love teaching, I love work, I love kids, I love the people involved. 7 years at the school, he said staffing shortages are leading teachers to cover classes they are not certified for and take on security roles. He fears education is being forced to change.” What led to that, this year kind of exacerbated a lot of the issues that I think have always been there,” Tyrey said. “Understaffing and an extension of a similar issue, lack of security led to a lot of things where we just don’t have enough people in the halls to oversee the student bumps and make sure they get to their classes. I personally had to give Spanish lessons, which I am not certified in, and I think it is not to the benefit of my students. I think we’re going to see a lot of unorthodox things happen in the years to come if we don’t fix that problem of incentivizing new teachers to come in,” Tyrey said. He adds that the wage increases do not match the rise in inflation. A report by student journalist Jane McGill to Central revealed that Tyrey is one of 37 teachers leaving Central this year. Six are retiring, three are moving to a new location and 28 are resigning. “I don’t think anyone does it out of spite or out of anger, but, you know, when you raise concerns over a period of time and you don’t really see things addressed, the only thing you can do is d ‘express your concerns as you leave,'” Tyrey said. Hillary Blayney is a journalism professor at Central. She oversaw this student’s reporting and is also leaving. She said McGill research shows that, over the course of a year standard school, the average teacher turnover occurs in teenagers. “It was a really, really difficult decision for me to make,” Blayney said. Blayney said the career academies and pathways plan for OPS had motivated her to leave the district on what they teach by giving them more autonomy in different schools. Letting principals control their buildings, I think, would help a lot,” she said. be tr good for my program, which broke my heart,” she said. Both teachers know it’s not just the OPS, but a national teacher shortage and burnout. St I will not succeed, but they hope for a change. “It’s certainly a lot more people, obviously, twice as many people, at least than normal years. So that’s a problem. We can’t ignore it’s a problem,” Blayney said. Tyrey may be getting out of education altogether. He hasn’t found a job yet. Blayney will take his talents to Westside. Omaha Public Schools did not respond to a request for comment. To read McGill’s detailed report, click here.
A journalism teacher from Omaha said she is among nearly 40 teachers who plan to leave Central High School at the end of the school year.
She and a student she advises requested the data from the Omaha Public School District after hearing whispers in the hallways.
Two educators talk about their decision to leave and the future of their field.
Both teachers said it was an incredibly difficult decision to make. They said they love teaching and Central, but it’s time to walk away.
“I always wanted to work at Central, it was kind of my dream job in teaching,” said Brian Tyrey.
Brian Tyrey is a Latin teacher at Central High School.
He is a former eagle and his love for the school runs deep.
But after this year, he leaves.
“I love teaching, I love work, I love kids, I love people involved. It’s just that you know I have to take care of myself and make sure I don’t work 10 hours a day every day,” Tyrey said.
After 7 years at the school, he said staffing shortages lead to teachers covering classes in which they are not certified and taking on security roles. He fears that education will have to change.
“What led to this, this year kind of exacerbated a lot of the issues that I think have always been there,” Tyrey said.
“A lack of staff and a similar issue, lack of security has led to a lot of things where we just don’t have enough people in the hallways to watch over students and make sure they get to their classes. I personally had to give Spanish lessons, which I am not certified in, and I think it is not to the benefit of my students. I think we’re going to see a lot of unorthodox things happen in the years to come if we don’t fix that problem of incentivizing new teachers to come in,” Tyrey said.
He adds that the wage increases do not match the rise in inflation.
A report by student journalist Jane McGill to Central revealed that Tyrey is one of 37 teachers leaving Central this year.
Six retire, three are transferred and 28 resign.
“I don’t think anyone does it out of spite or out of anger, but, you know, when you raise concerns over a period of time and you don’t really see things addressed, the only thing you can do is d express your concerns as you leave,” Tyrey said.
Hillary Blayney is a journalism professor at Central. She supervised the reports of this student and also leaves.
She said McGill research shows that in a normal school year, the average teacher turnover rate is among teenagers.
“It was a really, really tough decision for me to make,” Blayney said.
Blayney said the OPS Career Academies and Pathways plan motivated her to leave the district.
“I just think there needs to be more flexibility and in what we’re allowed to teach and what kids are allowed to take in class. Giving teachers more autonomy over what they teach, what gives them more autonomy in different schools. To let the principals control their buildings, I think that would help a lot,” she said.
Blayney thinks students won’t be able to pursue multiple interests because of the program.
“I didn’t think it was going to be very good for my program, which broke my heart,” she said.
Both teachers know it’s not just about the OPS, but about a national teacher shortage and burnout.
They said the decision to leave is heartbreaking and they know Central will always succeed, but they are hoping for a change.
“It’s definitely a lot busier, obviously, twice as crowded, at least than normal years. So that’s a problem. We can’t ignore that it’s a problem,” Blayney said.
Tyrey may be dropping out of school altogether. He doesn’t have any work scheduled yet.
Blayney will bring his talents to Westside.
Omaha Public Schools did not respond to a request for comment.
To read McGill’s detailed report, click here.
