Education — Why Education's Most Critical Growth Is Happening Outside the Classroom

Education · 2026-03-27

OPENING The evolution of education jobs tells a story far more profound than simple staffing metrics. This week's developments across higher education and K-12 reveal an industry transforming not just in who it employs, but in how it fundamentally approaches student success.

The emerging landscape of education employment paints a striking picture of where the sector is headed. While traditional teaching positions see declining growth, we're witnessing a surge in student support roles and technology professionals – a shift that fundamentally challenges our traditional notion of what makes an educational institution effective. This transformation isn't merely about staffing preferences; it reflects a deeper recognition that student success requires a complex ecosystem of support beyond the classroom walls.

This reality is playing out in real time at Portland Community College, where the recent staff strike highlights the essential role of support personnel in keeping educational institutions running. The fact that the college had to switch to remote operations and delay spring classes demonstrates how modern education relies on a vast network of non-teaching professionals to function effectively. It's a stark reminder that the "future of education" isn't just about what happens in lecture halls and classrooms.

Meanwhile, the NIH grant terminations story offers a sobering glimpse into how institutional decisions can disproportionately impact certain groups within academia, particularly women and early-career researchers. This situation perfectly illustrates why robust support systems and diverse professional roles are crucial – when traditional academic pathways become unstable, it's often the auxiliary support structures that help maintain institutional resilience and protect vulnerable members of the academic community.

The convergence of these trends suggests a fundamental reimagining of educational institutions as holistic support systems rather than mere content delivery mechanisms. The fastest-growing roles in education – from mental health counselors to technology integration specialists – reflect an understanding that student success depends on a complex web of support services, technical infrastructure, and specialized expertise working in concert with traditional classroom instruction.

WHAT TO WATCH Education leaders should closely monitor how institutions are restructuring their workforce to balance traditional academic roles with emerging support positions. The next month will be crucial as spring terms begin and institutions face decisions about resource allocation and staffing priorities. Those who recognize that educational excellence now requires a diverse professional ecosystem – not just excellent teachers – will be better positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape. The future of education isn't about choosing between instructional quality and support services; it's about understanding how they form an inseparable whole.