VIDEO: Teachers and staffing shortages, struggles and ways for parents to help make a difference in the new school year

(NBC) - NBC'S Vicky Nguyen Sits Down with Teachers to Talk Staffing Shortages, Struggles and Triumphs and the Steps Parents Can Take To Make a Difference in the School Year Ahead.

A closer look at the state of teaching.

In the midst of staffing shortages NBC News Senior Consumer Investigative Correspondent Vickey Nguyen sat down with a diverse group of teachers to get a lesson on teaching in 2022.

As more than 3 million (3,198,170) teachers start school nationwide - the subject matter extends far beyond classroom walls, from book bans to protests over how to keep schools safe.

And this year's biggest challenge so far, a massive teacher and school staff shortage, nation's largest teacher's union estimates more than 280,000 vacancies across the U.S..

In Florida, schools are recruiting veterans to teach, earning their certifications as they go.

In Arizona, students earning a bachelor's degree in education, can start teaching before graduating.

We sat down with teachers from New York and New Jersey.

Nick Ferroni and Sari Beth Rosenberg teach history.

Eric Williamson, a music teacher.

Patti Guerra-Frazier teaches Spanish.

From five years to more than 20 years working with students, these educators want you to know what it's like to teach right now.

"Why are so many teachers leaving this profession?" Nguyen asks.

"The workload is immense. No one came into this profession to be rich. A simple thank you and just showing gratitude that we are educating your children is all we need" says Patricia Guerra-Frazier.

Sari, "Whether it's the global pandemic, the gun violence pandemic... Even just feeling under attack" said Sari Beth Rosenberg.

"I think what people don't realize is, this is our dream job. The fact that you are leaving your dream job, because it's become so toxic and unbearable, should be concerning everybody" Nick Ferroni said.

"This is 2022 and it seems like the challenges teachers face are greater than ever before?" Nguyen mentions.

"Teachers aren't even allowed to be themselves. So, I identify as a black, out, gay male teacher, but some teachers can't share their identity with their students or within their school districts with fear of being fired or discriminated against by students or parents" Eric Williamson said.

"It should not be political, for a child to walk into class and feel seen, heard, and that they exist... We're not trying to indoctrinate, we just want every child to feel safe, feel loved and feel seen" Ferroni says.

Safety, also top of mind.

Norman Rangel of Texas, retired from teaching in May.

He says in March 2018, after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, he got approval from the school and parents to train and carry a concealed firearm in class.

Norman, "When those shootings took place, every student came to my mind... the thought just goes over and over in your head. What if that was us?" Norman Rangel states.

"By no means do you think all teachers should be armed?" Nguyen asks.

"That is correct. I don't think that it's something that that should be forced on anyone." Rangel says.

"Schools are a sanctuary. If we're at the point where even questioning whether a teacher should carry a gun, we should reevaluate society, not reevaluate schools." says Ferroni.

As for politics and education.

"In the 60s, teachers were called communists... Because we have open minds... People in power do not like an independent critically thinking group of people." says Ferroni.

Despite their diverse experiences, they say the kids are what inspired them to start teaching and they're the reason they still do.

"With Gen Z, they have so much access to information, they're sharing their voice... These kids are not settling for anything. They're holding us accountable, so guess what's gonna happen when they're adults?" said Williamson.

"Your final thought on what you want people to leave this conversation knowing about the state of teaching." Nguyen asks.

"Shut off the noise from the politicians. They're not being honest with you about who we are. Think back to the teachers you had in school... you probably look back fondly on at least one or two teachers. That's who we are." states Rosenberg.

"Teamwork makes the dream work... we need your help, your support. Let's work together to create a wonderful community. A good community makes a good society and a good society makes a wonderful world." said Guerra-Frazier.