After spending over 15 years in the pharmaceutical sales industry, Chris Blackburn was in need of a change in his life. He needed to get out of what he calls a toxic industry, and do something where he could make a difference in the lives of others.

He says teaching quickly became the best option to spark this change in his life.

“I had kind of lost my sense of purpose. I wanted to do something that was more fulfilling and more purposeful.”

Blackburn began his teaching career at Center Grove High School near Indianapolis, and eventually moved to Bloomington, where he has been teaching at Bloomington North High School for the past 5 years. Blackburn says while his teaching career has been very beneficial for him personally, teaching as a whole has become a less intriguing job.

The teaching shortage has become a national and local problem for school communities everywhere.

According to the Herald Times, all schools under Monroe County had job openings at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. There were over 85 unfilled teaching and staff positions for all schools under the Monroe County School Corporation.

The Indiana State Legislature also passed a law that allows schools to legally hold a teacher up to thirty days after they’ve turned in their resignation, even if they’ve done so within two weeks of school starting.

Blackburn says he was a victim of this law when he left Center Grove in Indianapolis to come to teach in Bloomington. He says because of this law, his relationships with his students were not as effective during his first year as they could have been.

“It was a pretty tough year. Some students probably didn’t appreciate me that year because they wanted the guest teacher that made for an easier class.”

Now, many students say Blackburn is one of Bloomington North’s favorite teachers. He says he stays because of his students, despite making less money as a teacher than he did in the pharmaceutical sales industry.

Blackburn teaches social studies, and has books all around his classroom.

Every wall in Blackburn's room is filled with his student's work.

Blackburn is known by students for his enthusiasm and energy in teaching, and one thing that contributes to that energy, his favorite energy drink.

Student's work in Chris Blackburn's classroom.

One thing about Chris Blackburn and his teaching is that he is going to do it passionately and have a good time with his students.

Low compensation is one of the many reasons of the teacher shortage. Education Week reports that 8% of teachers leave the profession each year.

In efforts to keep teachers around, Monroe County has passed a new referendum that “will increase the levy to 18.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.” This referendum means that Monroe County School Corporation “will increase teacher salaries by $4,500 per employee per year.” With this increase, the starting teacher salary at MCCSC becomes $50,000 annually.

The new referendum also includes increasing other support staff wages. Support staff at schools includes janitors, assistants, secretaries, and more. Support staff wages are increasing by $2.25 an hour, making the minimum wage $15 an hour. The referendum will also increase bus driver’s wages to $23 an hour.

Even without the referendum, Blackburn says his student-teacher relationships are what will always keep him around in the teaching industry.

“Even when I’m having a bad day, it has to be positive. That positive interaction is going to carry on to their next interactions they have with fellow students and fellow teachers. The transcending effect of those relationships is more than just me and that student. It also impacts all the other relationships they have.”

Blackburn’s student-first approach is what inspires his students to strive for their goals, and take what they learn from him, into their future.