Profile of a Future Educator

Insights on how superintendents and other district leaders can support current and future educators as technology, economic and demographic shifts occur

Educators face pressure to take on various roles for education stakeholders in a time where staffing shortages are common and pandemic-related challenges are pervasive. Meanwhile, students’ needs continue to change, and districts must take steps towards "developing the holistic student — not just academically — making sure that students are regulated, able to handle themselves socially and emotionally as they're matriculating their way through our schools as well," as described by AASA's 2022 National Superintendent of the Year, Curtis Cain.

To ensure educators feel prepared to deliver quality instruction and support, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University created the Next Education Workforce — an initiative that structures educator pathways and develops high-quality educators to more effectively support students and increase educators' job satisfaction and retention. In a similar but more comprehensive vein, AASA created a Vision of Systemic Redesign, which provides a foundation for redesigning school systems through three core components (i.e., culture; social, emotional and cognitive growth; resources) to develop future-focused and collaborative environments that meet the needs of all learners.

As AASA supports school leaders in efforts toward system transformation, understanding what skills and characteristics contribute to being an effective educator is vital.

This brief, prepared by Hanover Research, presents the profile of a future educator, specifically with a focus on technology, economic and demographic shifts. It also provides insights on how superintendents and other district leaders can support current and future educators as these shifts occur.