Kindergarten Teacher Quits Her Job And Her Reasons Why Go Viral
Teachers deal with a lot more than you'd think.
Sometimes a dream job turns into a daily drain, and for one kindergarten teacher, that breaking point went viral. Jessica Gentry, a former teacher at Stone Spring Elementary School, says her decision to leave had nothing to do with salary and everything to do with what was happening inside the classroom and behind the scenes.
Her Facebook post struck a nerve because it laid out the pressures, frustrations, and emotional toll that pushed her out of teaching. The response was immediate, with thousands of reactions and comments from people who saw their own experiences reflected in hers.
Now her story is sparking a bigger conversation about what teachers are dealing with every day. Read on.
Tired of the assumptions, Jessica Gentry takes to Facebook to set the record straight
Jessica GentryKids are kids - they haven't changed
She drives home a really important point that maybe many haven't considered: Society and parenting are the things that have rapidly changed over the years. Kids are still, and will always be, just kids.
How children are acting in the classroom is a reflection of what's going on at home. She suggests that those who act out more in school may not have any other safe space to do so.
Jessica GentryTechnology is taking too much priority
Kindergarten is literally the building block for children to ease into the education system. It's where they learn how to follow directions, learn social cues, and conduct themselves.
Gentry shares that schools are turning more to technology and screens instead of focusing on fostering relationship building.
Jessica Gentry
The system is broken, not the teachers
When faced with the realization that the technology approach isn't working out as the higher-ups intended, the assumption is that it's the teachers who aren't knowledgeable enough, taking time away from their students.
Jessica Gentry
Education isn't customer service; sometimes the "customer" isn't always right
She points out the importance of having a partnership with parents and how that's lacking in her experience. It's not teachers vs. parents; it should be collaborative.
Jessica Gentry
Lack of support is harmful to more than just the students
Her mental and physical health was starting to be affected by the lack of support she needed in order to provide for her students. One teacher for a class size of 21 is an unfair imbalance in the best instances, but adding on disabilities, different languages, and children with assumed unstable homes only made things even more difficult.
Jessica Gentry
She couldn't help anyone if she was unable to take care of herself
With the state of the education system, she felt she could no longer help any of the students with how poorly she was deteriorating. A retirement package and paid sick leave weren't enough to keep her on board.
Jessica Gentry
She's shifting her focus
Her goal now is to focus on her child at home and to work with other parents to help them show up for their children. While she may have left the classroom, she is still advocating for children.
Jessica Gentry
The superintendent stepped in with a response of his own.
Speaking to WHSV, Michael Richards, the Superintendent of Harrisonburg City Public Schools, made the following statement:
“I would take issue with the notion that teachers are leaving the profession ‘like their hair’s on fire.’ Ms. Gentry may have her own reasons for making that assertion. Teaching is the noblest profession in the world, and the vast majority of teachers are dedicated to the vital work of empowering the next generation.
Teaching is definitely a very challenging profession, and it is not for everyone. It requires longer hours than most people believe it does, and it presents multifaceted challenges that blend social and intellectual skills. Some of Ms. Gentry’s concerns are entirely valid.
For instance, it is imperative that we provide teachers with adequate planning and collaboration time and that we do not pull them away from instructional time. It is imperative that we help students develop strong social skills, especially as society turns increasingly toward device-driven communication.
At the same time, we need to empower students to use technology to enrich their learning and develop real-world skills. It is important that we support teachers in developing productive partnerships with parents.
Many of Ms. Gentry’s concer...[truncated]
Jessica’s post has already received over 279K reactions
Jessica Gentry
That “support versus self-respect” fight is similar to the AITA mom refusing to host a baby shower for a judgemental friend.
Facebook users overwhelmingly shared their support
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Kids do well when they can
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Teachers came in flocks to share their stories
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This teacher is sticking to homeschooling
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Old school teacher recognizes they wouldn't be able to teach in today's world
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All parents could work on being more present
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Validation and encouragement to focus on family
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Having a teacher that CARES is so impactful
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Literally, hundreds of comments like this from teachers
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Administration plays a huge part in the education system
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A parent had Gentry as her child's teacher and chimed in with her support
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Getting a better view of how parents can be an obstacle for teaching
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"Teaching is a dying art"
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Being unable to care for too many children is emotionally draining
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This educator shares that parents seem to be the same no matter the grade level
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Gentry sincerely hopes that her post can start some kind of change for educators. “I’d love nothing more than to work with those willing to listen to change the current path our public education system is headed down. I promised my coworkers when I left that I’d be the voice for them since so many fear being reprimanded for speaking up,” she said.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below, and share this with your friends and family!
Her post clearly hit a nerve with teachers everywhere.
For another school-and-family standoff, read about the parent debating switching their kids’ schools after a big move.
