High stress, low satisfaction: Only 3% of US teachers are very satisfied with their profession

A new survey highlights a deepening crisis in American education, revealing that teachers are increasingly demoralized and struggling to meet the needs of their students.

According to the 2025 Back to School Survey conducted by the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), fewer than three out of every 100 teachers describe themselves as “very satisfied” with their profession.

More than three-quarters reported feeling ill-equipped to address the growing mental health challenges among students, while over 60% said classroom conditions have worsened in just the past two years.

At the heart of the survey, nearly 80% of respondents characterized teaching as a “high-stress job,” reflecting pressures from overcrowded classrooms, outdated curricula, and declining respect for the profession.

Teachers are expected to act as social workers, counselors, and academic guides, yet many feel undervalued and underpaid.

The survey suggests that fatigue and frustration are driving educators out of classrooms, even among those deeply committed to teaching.

“The findings are a wake-up call,” a CEA spokesperson said. “Teachers are being asked to do more with less, and it is taking a visible toll on both their well-being and student outcomes.”

The survey also exposes the consequences of teacher burnout on student performance.

Nationwide test scores are at historic lows, with nearly half of high school seniors performing below basic levels in math and reading.

Persistent achievement gaps continue to widen, threatening the promise of equal opportunity in public education.

Experts warn the situation is self-reinforcing. As experienced teachers leave, classrooms lose stability, students fall behind, and public confidence in schools diminishes, prompting policies that often cut resources further instead of addressing underlying problems.

The survey also highlighted a gap between political rhetoric and reality. Teachers report that promises of support often fail to translate into tangible improvements.

Stagnant pay, growing class sizes, and shrinking budgets contribute to a sense that structural change is overdue.

“The profession cannot survive on symbolic gestures alone,” the CEA statement said. “Without real investment in teachers, the exodus will accelerate, and entire generations of students will suffer.”

The survey reframes the discussion on education in America, emphasizing that the current crisis is as much about teacher retention as it is about student achievement.

With only 25 teachers out of a thousand expressing genuine satisfaction, the findings signal urgent challenges for the future of public education.