The teacher shortage is a problem... or is it?

Colleagues,

This message is not about politics or teaching!
 
In response to a severe teacher shortage, multiple states are working to allow public schools to hire teachers without certifications and training.
 
So, if this isn’t about politics and teaching, what is this about?
 
Strategic leaders, when faced with an issue, ask, “What’s the problem?”
 
A teacher shortage is just a symptom. Attempting to fix the shortage without understanding the problem is simply putting a temporary fix on it. 
 
But please don’t think I am criticizing legislators because the rest of us do this as well.
 
List the top three “problems” you are facing right now. 
 
For each one ask, why is this happening?
 
You may need to ask why more than once, and you may not immediately get to the underlying problem. What you can get to is this…
 
In at least one case, what you have said is a problem is not the problem!
 
Can you solve the problem by treating the symptom? Probably not.
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick