Our schools are threatened by a drastic shortage of teachers. The facts about our teacher shortage are deeply disquieting and altogether convincing to thoughtful parents and discerning citizens. Many teachers are leaving our classrooms—over 600,000 have quit teaching since 1939, of which about 300,000 were teachers of long experience. In the war years, teachers were very useful in many branches of the Armed Forces. They learned that they were good at other jobs that offered larger salaries and greater freedom. This selection offers insight into the value society places on teachers and the teaching profession. This article was first published in February 1947.