Stronger Technology Skills

Teachers are more confident using digital tools, AI, and blended learning strategies that support student engagement.

A Growing Focus on Student Mental Health

Schools are prioritizing social‑emotional learning, trauma‑informed practices, and whole‑child support.

More Community Partnerships

Districts are increasingly open to working with nonprofits, mentors, and community organizations to support students and teachers.

AI Tools That Reduce Planning Time

AI can help teachers create lesson plans, assessments, and differentiated materials in minutes, giving them more time for instruction and relationship‑building.

High Teacher Attrition

• Urban districts in Southwest Ohio (including Dayton) have an attrition rate of about 14.5%, one of the highest in the state.

• Teachers are leaving faster than districts can replace them.

Out‑of‑Field Teaching

• Urban districts report 11.3% of teachers teaching outside their certification area.

• This increases stress and reduces instructional quality.

Rising Student‑to‑Teacher Ratios

• Middle and high school classrooms in several regions are seeing increased class sizes, especially in math, science, and language arts.

Behavioral and Mental‑Health Challenges

• Post‑pandemic behavior issues remain a top stressor for teachers.

• Many classrooms experience frequent disruptions, emotional dysregulation, and crisis‑level needs.

Substitute and Staffing Shortages

• Teachers often lose planning time because they are covering for absent colleagues.

• Schools lack enough adults to manage transitions, small groups, or behavior support.

Burnout Despite AI Tools

AI helps with planning — but burnout is caused by:

• Emotional labor

• Behavior management

• Lack of support

• High workloads

• Trauma exposure

• Inconsistent discipline policies

AI cannot replace human support inside the classroom.

1. Emotional Exhaustion

Managing student emotions, trauma, and behavior takes a toll.

2. Increased Workload

Teachers juggle instruction, data tracking, communication, and crisis response.

3. Lack of Daily Support

Many classrooms do not have aides, interventionists, or additional adults.

4. Rising Student Needs

Students require more academic, behavioral, and emotional support than ever before.

5. Systemic Pressures

Testing, evaluations, and policy demands add to stress.

AI cannot provide hands‑on support, build relationships, or stabilize a classroom — but mentors can.

1. Funding drops when enrollment drops

Most states fund schools based on per‑pupil counts. When enrollment declines, district budgets shrink, even if student needs stay the same or increase.

• Lower enrollment → less money for staffing, which often leads to larger class sizes.

• Districts must cut positions, leaving remaining teachers with heavier workloads.

2. Rising student needs collide with shrinking budgets

Even as enrollment declines, student needs are rising:

• Mental‑health challenges

• Learning gaps

• Need for individualized interventions

• Behavior and attendance issues

Districts report that these needs are increasing faster than their ability to fund support staff.  

This means teachers face more complex classrooms with fewer adults to help.

3. Inflation makes everything more expensive

Schools are paying more for:

• Transportation

• Utilities

• Food services

• Classroom supplies

These rising costs eat into already shrinking budgets, forcing districts to cut staff or delay hiring.

4. Budget cuts directly increase class size

When funding drops, districts often reduce staff. Fewer teachers = larger classes, which research shows:

• Reduces individual attention

• Increases behavior challenges

• Makes differentiation harder

• Hurts early learners and underserved students most

This creates a cycle where teachers burn out and students receive less support.

Yes — many districts are facing funding declines, especially those with falling enrollment.

• Enrollment decline is a national trend, and states must decide whether to reduce spending or stabilize budgets.

• Many districts already spent their temporary COVID‑19 relief funds, leaving them with leaner budgets.

• Districts serving high‑poverty communities face greater inequities and deeper funding gaps.

In short: Enrollment decline = funding decline, unless states choose to cushion the impact (many do not).

Lower enrollment = lower funding = fewer adults in the building

Fewer adults = higher stress + less support

GrandParents Hands & Children Charity provides in‑class mentors who support teachers, students, and school culture every single day.\

Our Mentors Help By:

• Supporting behavior and emotional regulation

• Assisting with small‑group instruction

• Helping students stay engaged and on task

• Reducing classroom disruptions

• Providing positive role models

• Building trusting relationships with students

• Supporting transitions, routines, and classroom management

Impact on Teachers

• Less stress and fewer interruptions

• More time for planning and instruction

• Stronger classroom culture

• Increased retention and job satisfaction

• Support for new and out‑of‑field teachers

• Relief from the emotional load of crisis management

Impact on Students

• Improved attendance

• Better behavior and emotional regulation

• Increased confidence and motivation

• More one‑on‑one support

• Stronger relationships with caring adults

Mentors Provide:

• Human connection

• Consistent presence

• Emotional support

• Behavior modeling

• Academic reinforcement

• Crisis‑prevention support

• A sense of safety and belonging

Mentors Strengthen the Entire School

• Teachers feel supported

• Students feel seen

• Families feel connected

• Administrators gain stability

• Classrooms run more smoothly