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- Here are 20 pictures that show how being a teacher has changed in the last 50 years.
- The profession became overwhelmingly female since the late 1970s.
- Teachers once decided their curriculum, but standardization of coursework and teaching styles has limited their autonomy.
- Wages for teachers have stagnated over this time period, resulting in a wave of protests across the country in 2018.
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The American classroom looks nothing like it did in the 1970s.
Chalkboards are now smart boards. Students are using standing desks and stability balls instead of chairs.
With changes in education, K-12 teachers must adapt to new initiatives and reforms.
Read more: THEN AND NOW: Here's how being a nurse has changed in the last 50 years
Some changes to education, such as the increased use of technology, have made teachers' lives easier. But decreased investment in public school has left teachers with stagnant wages and limited resources, leading to waves of protests and strikes across the country.
Here is a look at all the ways being a teacher has changed over the last 50 years.
If you're a teacher with a story to share, email aakhtar@businessinsider.com.