BISMARCK, N.D. (PNS) – North Dakota has a new Teacher of the Year. Educators say awards take on new meaning in the pandemic, but more support is needed to keep them from leaving the profession.

This week, Bret Dockter, a sixth-grade teacher from Harvey, received the highest honor. He made reference to his peers’ dedication during the pandemic, as well as teacher shortage concerns in the US.

Nick Archuleta, of the statewide educators’ union North Dakota United, says it’s frustrating to see there might be enough prospective teachers finishing college, but not all of them are jumping into the pool right away.

He says some graduates might be delaying their careers until a better paying job opens up. Past research at Bismarck State College found North Dakota has faced more of a recruitment issue than an actual shortage. This year, the Legislature approved a one-percent boost in education funding, with 70-percent of new money going toward salary increases. The union is convinced that only happened because of enhanced federal support during the crisis.

Archuleta says teacher pay in North Dakota still lags behind people who work in the private sector. He feels the pandemic also has added recruitment barriers, alluding to public backlash over mask mandates for schools.

In a recent Rand Corporation survey, one in four U-S teachers said they’re likely to leave the profession. That compares to one in six prior to the pandemic.

Archuleta says that’s why policymakers need to establish long-term funding commitments, to help compel teachers to stay committed to the profession.