Principal who quit to homeschool her kids sounds alarm over states altering teacher reqs to combat shortages

Mandy Davis left her job as a private school principal to homeschool her kids after sounding the alarm on bias in the classroom and an ongoing mass exodus of teachers destabilizing the field.

Davis, speaking to Fox News' Pete Hegseth on Sunday, criticized the American education system for what she called "deep-rooted issues," some driven by teacher vacancies she says are driving alarming changes nationwide. 

"[There's so much that] parents need to be aware of," she said on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend.’

TEACHERS SOUND ALARM ON GROWING PROBLEMS IN SCHOOLS, SAY COLLEAGUES ARE ‘LEAVING IN DROVES’

"I talk a lot about the current teacher shortages because it affects so much. It's causing larger class sizes. With the rise of discipline and behavioral issues in the classroom and the shortage of teachers, that's not the type of balance we want to see," she added.

The Education Department said in a press release last year that 44% of schools nationwide reported full or part-time teacher vacancies, a statistic largely blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special education saw the most severe numbers with 45% of schools citing position vacancies, followed by general elementary school teachers and substitute teachers.

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL LEAVES JOB TO HOME-SCHOOL HER CHILDREN, SAYS EDUCATION SYSTEM SUFFERING ‘DEEP ROOTED' ISSUES

Separate data reported by The Wall Street Journal said 300,000 teachers fled the profession between February 2020 and May 2022, with others indicating they would like to do the same. 

"What's concerning as a parent is wondering who is going to come into those roles. We're already seeing dozens of states moving towards changing certifications and license required to try to grow this pool of teachers," Davis said. 

"I'm not sure that's the best environment we want our children in."

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Behind the growing number of staff shortages, she claimed, are teacher complaints that they feel "unsafe" and "out-of-control" in their own classrooms.

The Washington Post, in a report echoing the foundations of Davis' concerns, said some students headed back to the classroom last fall only to be greeted by teachers who lacked formal training, writing that states "desperate" to fill vacancies have "relaxed job requirements."

Florida, for example, introduced an apprenticeship program to allow community college graduates to teach under a mentor as they go on to complete their bachelor's degree.

Arizona also worked to combat teacher shortages last year by voting to allow substitute teachers to serve as full-time teachers.

Donald Trump receives cheers at UFC 290 during appearance with Dana White

Donald Trump was in attendance at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday night to witness UFC 290 alongside the mixed martial arts organization’s president, Dana White. 

It was a big surprise to the UFC fans in the stands when Trump emerged from the tunnel at ground level with White and a pack of Secret Service agents. 

The 45th president of the United States was his usual social self, interacting with fans by shaking hands and talking for a few moments as he made his way toward the octagon. 

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It was a total shock to everyone in the building, including the broadcasters of the event as they reacted with surprise when Trump was shown on the big screen. However, Trump is a big UFC fan and a good friend of White, who spoke for him at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

Trump had one of the best seats in the house right by the octagon, and he was seen taking pictures with many around him in between fights. Joe Rogan also made it a point to meet up with Trump in between his broadcasting duties. 

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There was even a UFC fighter, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, who jumped over the cage after winning his bout with Robert Whittaker in the middleweight division to shake Trump’s hand as well as White’s. 

Du Plessis knocked out Whittaker in the second round. 

For Trump and everyone else watching UFC 290, it was a great main card that was highlighted by Alexander Volkanovski moving his overall record to 26-2 and retaining his featherweight division belt after knocking out Yair Rodriguez in the main event. 

Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Moreno also had an amazing fight that needed the judges to weigh in after five rounds. Pantoja was eventually named winner by split decision, dethroning Moreno as flyweight champion. 

It was the third time in Pantoja’s career that he’s defeated Moreno in the octagon. 

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Dan Hooker also beat Jalin Turner by decision in the lightweight division, while Bo Nickal needed just 38 seconds to knock out Val Woodburn to begin the main card in Sin City. 

This isn’t the first UFC event Trump has attended, as he’s been spotted at multiple events, including UFC 244 while he was president. 

Trump has also been spotted at UFC 287 next to Kid Rock and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. 

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