Elizabeth Bettini – The Conversation

The demographics of the special education teacher workforce have remained static, but the student population these educators serve is becoming more diverse. Courtney Hale/E+ via Getty Images

June 24, 2025

Diversifying the special education teacher workforce could benefit US schools

Elizabeth Bettini, Boston University; LaRon A. Scott, University of Virginia, and Tuan D. Nguyen, University of Missouri-Columbia

Declining interest in the teacher profession and recent Trump administration budget cuts pose challenges to developing a diverse educator workforce.

Schoolteachers are reporting high levels of burnout. AP Photo/David Goldman

June 22, 2022

Teacher burnout hits record high – 5 essential reads

Jeff Inglis, The Conversation

With teachers reporting record-high levels of burnout, and more burnout than any other profession in the US, scholars examine what’s going on and what it may mean for education.

Teachers across the U.S. have been under stress throughout the pandemic. Jon Cherry/Getty Images

March 11, 2022

Why most teachers who say they plan to leave the profession probably won’t do so anytime soon

Christopher Redding, University of Florida; Allison Gilmour, Temple University; Elizabeth Bettini, Boston University, and Tuan D. Nguyen, Kansas State University

Despite signals of increased turnover, the past two years have not experienced mass departures from the teaching profession.

Why do special educators leave teaching? US Department of Education Follow

March 11, 2016

What do special educators need to succeed?

Elizabeth Bettini, Boston University and Kristin Murphy, UMass Boston

A shortage of special education teachers is threatening states’ abilities to provide high quality education for students with disabilities. Changing teachers’ working conditions can help.

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