👩🏻‍🏫 WHY I QUIT TEACHING … my story
47,308
Published 2022-10-12
No, but seriously. Sorry this is so long and I sound like I'm running out of breath by the end! You try talking for 30+ minutes straight!
Today I am telling you the somewhat sad story of how I decided to quit teaching elementary after only 3 years. There is a mass exodus of teachers right now and I know the "Great Resignation" has been going on for a couple years. I respect teachers SO much. They do so much more than anyone really thinks about or knows. It is such a taxing and emotional job. I wish I could have stayed in without sacrificing my mental well-being but it wasn't really an option. Maybe one day the profession will improve for all those who so greatly deserve it.
I am so happy to be in design now and get to do something I LOVE with better work/life balance. I miss my former students constantly but I know that being in a job that was unsustainable for me wasn't fair to them or myself. Please; thank a teacher. They are probably more tired/overwhelmed than you think and they are almost certainly struggling to pour from an empty cup in an effort to give all they can to their students. I know I was.
Thanks for listening! And teachers are heroes... amen!
Twitter: www.twitter.com/hithereimandrea
All Comments (21)
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I hope all teachers quit, you guys are being used by parents as babysitters not educators.
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I just want everyone to take a good look at the comments here... these comments are EXACTLY why we are quitting teaching. That lack of empathy and horrid disrespect is exactly how all of your kids act.
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I am a first year teacher and I am trying to get out. I’ve been interviewing and have been exploring different career options. I don’t understand how anyone can be in this career for multiple years, especially with how messed up the public education system is now. Absolutely no accountability for students and everything is somehow the teachers fault.
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I have been teaching for 16 years and living from pay check to pay check, and You can feel how hard it is. The work never ends. I think you made a good decision. Wish you all the best.
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I’m so glad you have found a career you enjoy. Life is to short to “stick it out.”
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I'm in my second year teaching. I'm still struggling with not being able to "shut my brain off" I feel like I'm always working
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I'm a teacher from Spain, I've taught for 7 years now( In Spain). Last school year I went to the US to teach as a part of a teacher exchange program. That year got me question my whole career too. Never happened to me before
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I'm in year 15 (and with one foot out the door). What I don't understand is how parents can't handle their 1-2 kids, but get frustrated that we can't handle 150 (high school, up to 33 kids at a time) kids!!
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I am getting out of student teaching today. I’m so unhappy and don’t like where education is going.
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I think it’s pretty crazy that you turn 18 and you’re expected to choose a major. You’re 18. You don’t even know who you really are. I blame the high school counselors for aggressively pushing college right after hs instead of taking an active year off where you work/travel and figure it out.
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Being treated like a child ...wow girl thanks for saying that. You really nailed it...sad truth
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I resonated with this video so much. I am currently a 2nd grade teacher and am struggling with burnout and overall anxiety from the work load. I actually just put in my two weeks. I realize I need to put my mental health first. Thanks for sharing❤️
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It’s a very tough job that only teachers and their immediate family can see. I’m sure you feel so much healthier.
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After 40+ years of teaching, I’m becoming increasingly convinced college is a huge waste of time and money for most people. Go only if you have a specific goal that requires it, and work at least a quarter time while doing so. Do not take out humongous loans you’ll regret.
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Reasons for leaving: horrible principal, horrible admin, racism, anti military, told I had to pay for everything I needed, which of course was EVERYTHING, being locked out of main offices because principal brought grandchildren to work (that’s where copy machine and supplies were), no support, constant criticism, no lunch break, misbehaving kids forced on me during my planning period, no time to even pee. Final straw: being downgraded on my observations because I didn’t have enough room. Seriously. Most horrible job on the planet.
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More than 20 years in and it NEVER gets easier. I'm still putting in late hours. The stress is horrible.
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Smart to get out at the three year mark. Teaching never gets any better. I made it 24 years and retired. Admin beats loving teachers to death and they enjoy doing it!
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This video made me realize as a kid I should have told a classmate to stop bothering the teacher. The kid was a real jerk.
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I just quit my teaching job, in California, after 22 years. Everything you said in this video is true. The profession needs a major overhaul. Due to its dysfunctional nature you will be emotionally drained and your attitude will become extremely negative about the job. You will feel like your dreams of teaching (and making a difference) are being crushed! And, yes, the workload is tremendous and the pay is crap. Kudos! Your heart was in the right place...đź’™
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I'm close to retirement but would not have stuck it out if I was 20 years younger. Lack of support for students with diverse needs is the biggest challenge in my experience. It's not that we don't care. We do!! It's just not a hill we are willing to die (literally) on.
