Parents reveal the most important things they look forward to when their children go back to school – despite the majority of teachers feeling “burned out”.

PARENTS are far more optimistic about the upcoming school year than teachers, new research suggests.

A recent study found that 44 percent of teachers are less concerned about the 2022-2023 school year, while 55 percent of parents of school-age children share the same opinion.

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So say 2,000 Americans, 1,000 of whom are K-12 teachers and 1,000 are parents.

Fifty-seven percent of parents also reported that their children appeared to be less anxious.

Despite the fears, parents still want to be involved

Forty-nine percent of parents say they will be talking more with their children this year about what they want to feel more prepared for in the classroom.

Compared to a similar survey last year, 54 percent of respondents were more afraid of the 2021 back-to-school season than they were of the 2020 pandemic.

Both conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Office Depot, the polls also asked teachers and parents to describe their expectations for students’ return to school this year.

“Last year’s back-to-school season was filled with uncertainty as students, parents and teachers had to adapt to new learning environments,” said Kevin Moffitt, Office Depot executive vice president and chief retail officer.

“This year, as students, parents and teachers head into the new school year with more confidence, our customers are looking for products that reflect their personality and set themselves up for success both inside and outside the classroom.”

Parents are most excited about encouraging their children’s interest in learning (53 percent) — and getting more done while their kids are at school (48 percent).

Teachers look forward to being back in the classroom, and most excited to customize their spaces with new materials, furniture, and learning tools (47 percent).

While last year’s survey found that half of parents cited COVID-19 as a top concern, just 26 percent of this year’s respondents said the same.

However, the pandemic has demonstrated the value of technology in the classroom, with 44 percent of parents saying technology is one of the most important factors in a student’s success.

This year, nearly a third of parents (29 percent) say they are concerned that their school district has an adequate number of qualified staff.

However, the top-cited concern among teachers remains – 24 percent – still worrying about their students’ lagging academic progress, making it one of the top-ranked options two years in a row.

Seventy percent of parents are concerned about school supplies costs, more so in public schools (74 percent) than in private schools (69 percent) — and both parents (68 percent) and teachers (59 percent) expect they will still be this year will spend more.

Sixty-eight percent of parents think their school district has the resources to do so, but only 54 percent of teachers say the same.

In addition, it is clear how important the role of teachers will be this year.

Thirty-eight percent of parents believe a supportive teacher is one of the most important factors in their child’s success, including more among children in public schools (33 percent vs. 22 percent).

However, only 27 percent of teachers agreed—perhaps because 65 percent reported suffering from burnout, according to the data.

Moffitt notes, “More than ever, we need to support teachers as best we can—financially, spiritually, and physically.

“There are few things more influential in this world than a great teacher, which is why Office Depot is committed to helping them succeed with teacher tools, programs, special offers and more.”

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