Episode #5 – We are Professionals! Educator Compensation, Retention, and Attrition in the Workforce 

Educators are voicing strong concerns about their occupational and financial health. You don’t have to look far to encounter a report that indicates educators are communicating increased levels of stress and anxiety related to the demands of their jobs, and the limited financial compensation and professional support they receive.

During this episode, Mary Jane Cobb, Executive Director of the Iowa State Education Association, and Amira Nash, Associate Director of Programs and Partnerships in the Baker Teacher Leader Center, join us to discuss our occupational and financial dimensions of wellness. We will unpack what each of these dimensions includes and talk through strategies educators can employ as individuals and collectively to improve the occupational and financial dimensions of our lives. 

Join us live on Wednesday, February 22 from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. on the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.

About Mary Jane Cobb

Mary Jane Cobb has devoted her career to advocating for others. Since 2008, she has served as the executive director of the ISEA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with course work in education and human resources from Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama. Her Bachelor of Arts degree in government was awarded by Campbell University in North Carolina. She earned a certificate in Organization Development from the National Training Laboratories Institute and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) Commission of the American Society of Association Executives conferred the CAE credentials on Mary Jane in 2013. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry.

About Amira Nash

Amira Nash is the Associate Director of Partnerships and Programs in the Baker Teacher Leader Center at the University of Iowa College of Education. In this role, Amira is partnering with local school districts to create student-to-teacher pathway programs with goals of diversifying Iowa’s teacher workforce and supporting educators of Color. Additionally, Amira supports antiracism efforts and global education in the College. Prior to this role, Amira taught high school English Language Learners (ELL) and Social Studies. She earned both her BA in Psychology and MA in Teaching, Leadership and Cultural Competency from the University of Iowa. She is also a doctoral student pursuing a PhD in Teaching and Learning: Literacy, Culture, and Language Education.