My parents were public school educators. From an early age, it was clear to me that neither they, nor their colleagues, were in it for the money. Indeed, in what is today an arguably more cynical age, the idea of someone answering a call to public service might seem more poetic than practical. But from the earliest days of the republic, there was a notion of teachers providing a common good to the public at large – not just the wealthy who could afford it. The theory? That the only way a democracy could survive, much less thrive, was if people participating in this “grand experiment in self government” were equipped with the necessary tools. But it took a long time to get from Horace Mann’s call in the 1830's for universally available taxpayer-supported schools to the nationwide institution which it would become in the 1890's – albeit far from available to all. Fast forward to today. For decades we've asked teachers and schools to do more and more: providing food to kids who might not have enough at home, sounding the alarm when there are signs of abuse, policing ever more complex distractions and disruptions, learning to defend against potential violent threats both from inside and outside the classroom, instructing online, dealing with ever more politicized complaints about what’s being taught and why and much more. The role of the teacher has never been more complex. And now, as we end a third year of a pandemic and amid news reports that more teachers are leaving the profession, a new survey by the Texas American Federation of Teachers suggests that more teachers than ever are at the point of burnout. More than 60% say they’re considering leaving, and the danger is a downward spiral that Texas schools may not be able to overcome. We're talking about it today on Texas Standard and it is a story we will continue to track. We hope you enjoy getting caught up on some of our other recent reporting below. Until next week, we’ll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Yes, you could have PTSD from last February’s winter storm. A counselor shares coping tips.

For many Texans, last week’s ice storm brought back difficult memories of 2021’s devastating freeze and blackout.

Why a fatal fight in a Beaumont federal prison led to a nationwide lockdown

The brawl underscored concerns from the people staffing prisons nationwide about unsafe working conditions. Days later, the lockdown's only been partially lifted.

Harassment from QAnon conspiracy theorists forces temporary shutdown at Texas’ National Butterfly Center

Unfounded, politically-motivated claims have created a “Pizzagate”-style danger for the center straddling the border.

No penalty for former Brazoria County clerk who sorted potential jurors by race and residence

Jury selection is supposed to be random in Texas, but Rhonda Barchak used a system of her own invention for years.

Trying to buy a home in Austin? So are investors. (KUT)
New study concludes breastfeeding may reduce a mother’s risk of heart disease and stroke (KERA)
Boost to law enforcement budgets would lead to more than 1,000 Harris County layoffs, an analysis shows (Houston Public Media)
Two of Fiesta's biggest parades will have a new route this year and next (Texas Public Radio)

Hello. My name is Julian Aguilar and I am the digital breaking news reporter for The Texas Newsroom. I began in January after reporting on politics, the border and immigration for more than a decade. I've worked for various outlets across Texas, including The Texas Tribune, El Paso Matters, The Laredo Morning Times and the Rio Grande Guardian. I was also a freelance reporter for the Fort Worth Weekly. I'm excited to return to a statewide news desk in Texas, a state that is never short on stories. Since I've been on board I've filed stories about severe winter weather, the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor's race, immigration and even the Olympics . I'm looking forward to continuing to inform readers and listeners across Texas on the things they should know and care about. Feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter below. Thank you.

- Julian Aguilar
@nachoaguilar

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