Raise The Alarm Because Here Are 35 Real Reasons Why Teachers Are Leaving Their Jobs In Record Numbers
The system has failed them, and for some reason, we are told that teachers are still to blame.
They say that if you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. That was obviously a lie that was fed to us.
Take teaching, for example, where passion plays a significant role in career longevity. Public and private schools rely on the passion and dedication of their educators to mask many of the problems and issues they face daily.
Teachers have the all-important job of imparting knowledge to our nation's young children. On the flip side, their job is unenviable simply because of what is expected of them.
Their job entails a great deal of effort and hard work, but their wages are inhumanly low. Year after year, they are called heroes to drown out their pleas for a livable wage, funding for programs, and school materials.
On top of that, they work in increasingly dangerous environments where disaster can strike at any moment. It's no surprise that teachers are leaving the profession in droves.
The exodus began in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. Resignations escalated in 2021 when 500,000 private school teachers left their jobs, and an additional 800,000 local and state educators handed in their notices.
Some politicians are surprised by the "shortage," as if the writing on the wall hasn't been there for years. They frame the issue as if it were the educators' fault.
Reading the politicians' ridiculous tweets and watching their interviews about the matter is infuriating. Teachers have taken it upon themselves to educate them—and us—about the realities of their thankless profession.
1. They aren't even worried about themselves. This is maddening.
@DavidDuvall82. They are humans who have bills to pay, and their salary is simply not enough for the amount of work they do.
@maberkow3. Oh, what joy it is to live in their bubble.
@jeremypgordon
4. You would think they would be decent to the people who spend at least eight hours a day with their children.
@caseylankow
5. None of the previous problems in education were addressed, and then the pandemic hit.
@JulieSHasson
6. I can't believe that retail is less stressful than a career in education.
@LoraHal24983531
7. And they're just supposed to take it.
@thewhiteant
8. "I did not see this coming! Why are they so selfish and causing problems!?"
@AndyMarlette
9. They are too busy putting out unnecessary fires and have little time left to actually impart knowledge.
@neutrino75
10. Some adults don't parent their kids and expect the teachers to raise their children.
@nancymheath
11. This is not what an experienced teacher deserves.
@seattlejohn
12. Imagine dedicating a good chunk of your fortune and almost a decade of your life to work in your dream profession, only to be told you're not good enough to earn a living wage.
@TygerSongbird
13. The videos that go viral are enough proof.
@NonPiuMe
14. It's a thankless job.
@penton_maggie
15. Why should anyone sacrifice their quality of life, mental health, and happiness for horrible pay?
@UnofficialMsRob
16. Why would they choose to suffer in their field when there are other, more fulfilling careers?
@abbynormansays
17. Some teachers earn less than $50,000 a year while working at least 80 hours a week.
@CharlieCrist
18. There are enough teachers—they are just not willing to be exploited anymore.
@jolampert
19. Unless the problems are solved, qualified and well-intentioned educators will never come back.
@DharricRolyat
20. Teachers are the scum of the earth for *checks notes* teaching their students about American history.
@saribethrose
21. Okay then, let's infect the children.
@LauraMiers
22. How dare you ask my child to be responsible!
@KindnessWins6
23. Oh yeah, they can die at any moment because politicians prefer thoughts and prayers instead of legislating an actual solution.
@MagistraGoetz
24. I personally would like to know more about these "snowplow parents," please.
@FixingEducation
25. How is this legal?
@LordFenrir
26. Teachers shouldn't have to risk their health because of the grandstanding of other irresponsible adults.
@psychotherapuss
27. Somehow, they're selfish for leaving their underpaying careers.
@TheSGTJoker
28. Who had "teachers fighting for money to buy school supplies" in their downfall of society bingo?
@MegabyteRonnie
29. It's steadily getting worse, and we are just watching it fall apart.
@MarlenaStell
30. They are expected to perform tasks that are beyond their job description and work hours, but their paycheck doesn't reflect it.
It is not at all surprising that teachers are quitting their jobs for more lucrative careers. There are news reports citing headhunters specifically hiring former educators because of their skills—they retain information quickly, impart knowledge, and perform exceptionally well during high-pressure situations.
Platitudes, a dedicated day, and calling them heroes are no longer enough to make teachers believe that there aren't glaring problems in the system. Until the problems are addressed and solved, the exodus of highly skilled educators will continue.
@sloan2001
