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Episode 7: Systems, Safety, and the Storm We Built
- sherrirochel
- Nov 3
- 2 min read
Date Published: November 3, 2025
Host: Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel)
🟩 The Good – When Systems Work
Mississippi’s public schools continue to climb the national charts, proving that high expectations and teacher support can change the trajectory of student learning.According to the Associated Press, Mississippi’s 4th-grade reading scores rank 9th nationwide, and math scores rank 16th on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Districts like DeSoto and Madison County earned A-ratings in 2024–25 thanks to targeted teacher support and clear accountability.
“Higher academic standards, targeted support for teachers, and a strong accountability system have improved student achievement in Mississippi.” — Mississippi Department of Education, 2025
When teachers know what’s expected and feel supported, learning thrives — a message that perfectly aligns with the ETM Method™: Learn, Trust, Thrive.
🟨 The Bad – When Systems Slip
In Des Moines, Iowa, an internal audit was launched after the arrest of superintendent Ian Roberts. The incident raised urgent questions about how school background-check systems are managed and verified. While not a political story, it highlights an important gap: background checks are often performed once at hire, unlike recurring license verifications required of CPAs, nurses, or physicians. Safety begins long before students walk through the doors — it starts with ensuring we can trust the people who hold the keys.
🟥 The Ugly – The Perfect Storm in Teaching
The teacher pipeline is shrinking fast — and the numbers prove it.
Bachelor’s degrees in education: 110 k → 90 k (2003–2023)
Master’s degrees: 162 k → 143 k
Overall enrollment: Down 200 k in the past decade
At the same time, the NEA reports 16 % of teachers plan to leave the classroom this year, and the Learning Policy Institute estimates over 411 k teaching positions are unfilled or filled by uncertified staff — that’s roughly 1 in 8 classrooms.
When fewer people enter the profession and more leave, burnout becomes the baseline — and the system starts to crumble quietly under its own weight.The solution begins with awareness, respect, and rebuilding capacity — not blame.
Sources:
💭 Final Thoughts
Systems don’t fix themselves — people do.When we learn from data instead of ignoring it, when we build trust instead of blame, and when we help our schools and teachers truly thrive, we create the kind of education that matters.
Show Notes & Links: educationthatmatters.net
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@DrSherriRochel
Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3dzCG9MMvodfaKaacFDKgO
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