Why are Texas teachers quitting the profession in record numbers? Here’s what they told us.

We invited six to our CBS News Texas studios to find out why educators continue to leave teaching positions.

[@edrandomed]

You couldn't pay me $120k to deal with these kids, parents, and admins!!!!

[@deborahb6294]

I am a retired teacher from Georgia and I have NEVER made even $80,000 dollars a year ore more- (I thought the whole thirty years) and more! - It is SAD how they are mistreating teachers-- I LOVED teaching but I did may my years and do a few days of "helping out" as best I can

[@MikeA15206]

You couldn’t pay me any amount to deal with the parents.

[@shandell279]

​@deborahb6294 thank you Deborah for your service. I salute you teachers across the world.

[@reynayanez5948]

Parents. Ughhh

[@stuwest3653]

@@deborahb6294 You signed up for it, nobody mistreated you and by the looks of your grammar I'd say the district and the kids got ripped off.

[@AJW3B4L]

Because students are out of control, parents treat teachers like crap, and pay with a degree & multiple certificates are not enough to live on, often.

[@AugieRockero]

don't forget the POS administration, school boards, and republican lawmakers who took away tenure, keep pay low, crushed unions, and installed the most draconian, horrifying, unfair, heart attack inducing evaluation system ever created.

[@happycamper1372]

Parents? There’s the problem. There’s no S. Broken families, absent parents, separated parents using the children as their personal weapons. Traditional families are a dying breed.

[@Kitkat-wu3ow]

Agree, also, the parents dont do their job like disciplining their children.

[@dking1362]

Exactly....THIS is why.

[@jamieg9607]

Facts!

[@BattleToads]

Got hired as a band director at a charter school in the hood. I walked out on day 4 after the "students" were threatening me, cussing me out, and throwing my music all over the room. You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

[@jim2376]

"I walked out on day 4" Wisely done.

[@sto2779]

On day 4 LMFAO. When the kid tells you he gunna pop a cap on your ass, best believe he ain't joking. When you watch Fox news you'll see your student shot his classmates on the following day when you quit after his threats. The government seriously needs to have teachers able to control their classes and schools like Asian/European schools.

[@mckinneyman4325]

Most likely a liar.

[@jim2376]

@@mckinneyman4325 As a former teacher, I can assure you it's quite likely.

[@heathermunoz6282]

​@@mckinneyman4325You're most likely a fool.

[@monikaw1369]

The pay is not the problem for me, it is the fact kids can treat you anyway they want without consequences, the paperwork for tracking sped and ESL, creating lessons, tests, quizzes, grading. I was so tired of working 7 days a week. The biggest waist of time was filling out paperwork for observations, goals for the year (shouldn’t that be obvious), how we met them, showing documentation. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork……just let me teach. I resigned in May!

[@lorihill3531]

I’m a sped teacher. I have scratches and bruises on my arms tonight from a small child that attacked me today. Then he turned over furniture. I called the mom and she got mad at me. What’s going on???

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

How about the disrespect of the children? Forcing children to sit under asbestos ceilings and fluorescent lighting against their will like prisoners of war year after year for the most important years of their life, feeding them an openly obscene curriculum

[@emmanuelbalmeo5241]

Yup. The amount of extra work other than simply teaching is just insane. Glad you retired. Have a cold one on me. I'm right behind you.

[@sto2779]

Wow. You teachers need to form a union of such, make your own private/charter schools with your own terms created by teachers like you. This is the only way schooling in America will go back on track.

[@donmatulevich9411]

Filling out your goals/objectives for the year and how you met them…I do that and I’m not a teacher. You’re being run like a corporation now.

[@TheSS314]

When they start holding parents accountable, maybe things will change.

[@mysoutherngardeningjourney]

My mom once told me that her mother once asked rhetorically why people need a license to hunt, fish, and get married, but not to have children.

[@alyssapowell1799]

Some of these kids are in foster care. The outrage over the troubled teen industry and abuse at group homes and "therapeutic" boarding schools means more of the kids in foster care with the most severe behavior issues are now being tossed into the public school system. Tens of thousands of those types of kids with severe behavior issue had been sent out of state to those facilities. Now they're in regular schools.

[@AkkisiandraDayton]

@@alyssapowell1799also women not being able to get abortion will make this worse .

[@Treeofwysdm]

That's your takeaway, it's the parents? No friend, it's the system. Parents are, have always been, and will always be a mixed bag when it comes to raising children. That's a given. So it's not the parents, it's the state and local politicians and officials who could care less about public school teachers or the public school system. If conservatives spent as much time, energy, and money on paying public school teachers what they're worth, and providing them with the benefits and support they deserve, as they spend on trying to destroy public schools, we wouldn't be commenting on this story, because there would be no story.

[@darthlaurel]

@@Treeofwysdm Funny how teachers and schools always take credit for the success of the bright students but never take responsibility for the thousands of illiterates they graduate every year. I agree - there are a lot of parents who suck. But the percentage of parents who suck compared the the % of teachers who are utterly incompetent but protected by their union and district is not to be compared. If you fired every teacher and swapped them out for someone who works at your local grocery store, things would improve overnight, in all likelihood. But one thing is certain....they wouldn't be worse.

[@zendoragrey]

Stop the micromanaging of professional educators. They know what’s needed but can’t do it because they have to follow the district and state curriculum plan, only to get blamed for its failure. Put educational experts with more than five years of classroom experience that really want to help schools in leadership, not just people who want to advance their career or play politics.

[@Dontgiveup964]

Amen! We have a principal who's never been an AP before 😅

[@twiedenfeld]

20 years ago success was redefined to mean that 100% of students have to be proficient. This is not possible, therefore every teacher is a failure. And since they're a failure, you can force them to do whatever somebody imagines. And the people who are imagining things are people who were the absolute worst at teaching, but are now in charge because they went and got an administrator's license instead of becoming a good teacher.

[@sabrenak9063]

Unfortunately it's not just Texas. Anxiety, stress, and heart issues caused me to quit after 16 years. That was one of the hardest decisions I had to make.

[@DT-ggh546]

I "wish" they would create a team to *micromanage the school "administrators" yearly budget/salary* so, they could then *increase teachers pay; yearly* 🤔 aka: *now that's the type of micromanaging* the school's administration/boards, should be looking into & promoting/enforcing; rigorously! 💯% -THE END ⚠️

[@davidthaler7018]

Y’mean the curriculum that whitewashes American history? That redefines our system of government? That bans books with LGBT themes and characters? That removes school libraries? Want your teachers back? Pay them what they’re worth, start acknowledging the positive contributions made by people of other ethnicities, and start holding white Christian people historically accountable for tragic events.

[@egrace3738]

Yes. I retired from teaching in Texas. The disrespect from parents toward teachers is unbelievable, especially towards science teachers. I took less pension so I could leave. I loved teaching critical thinking and science. 😢

[@chocolateradiance7216]

Really??? Wow!

[@theinvisibleguests]

Bless you

[@theboombody]

Can't teach in a wild environment. It's ineffective. I'm sorry you had to give up your passion due to forces beyond your control.

[@vickimcburney8977]

Teachers deserve twice what they make! It is one of the most important jobs that there is. Teachers need to be protected from verbal and physical attacks from kids and parents. Our schools need to be protected from GUN VIOLENCE! The schools need to be outfitted with security doors, x-ray machines, .etal detectors and guards (only at the entrance). Paid for by GUN LOBBY/GUN MANUFACTURERS.

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

How about the disrespect of the children? Forcing children to sit under asbestos ceilings and fluorescent lighting against their will like prisoners of war year after year for the most important years of their life, feeding them an openly obscene curriculum

[@michaelwallace1189]

Let's address some of the root causes for Teacher attrition. #1. Work requirements that amount to 40 + hours of overtime per week, without ANY additional pay. Detailed lesson plans that do nothing for instruction, but sure help an administrator evaluate you to death. These take hours and hours to complete, are redundant to ridiculous degree and lock you into a set of actions that may or may not work without the ability to adjust or change strategies. Data tracking forms for every student and every grade, without consideration of the time requirement to gather and input, or actual usefulness of the data. A ridiculous amount of training for testing, and just being a teacher each and every year. Most of which cannot be completed during the school day while the teacher is up and teaching. Sitting down to do work will get you a very poor evaluation, and these evaluations are numerous and unhelpful to say the least. Not to mention a very useful tool for an administrator who wants to get rid of anyone who pushes back on their insane ideas. #2. Pay and retirement. C'mon Texas. this is ridiculous. I have a doctorate in education with twenty years of service but I can literally go to work at Buckee's and with the amount of overtime I put in now and earn 20 to 30 thousand more than I do as a teacher! You have made it so not worth it to be an educator. Our retirement is absolutely pathetic. We get a small percentage of our income unless we work until we're ready to die, and even then, what we get is so pathetic and cannot keep up with the basic cost of living, let alone a comfortable retirement for a public servant. Frankly, its barely enough to cover the insurance we need due to the health issues that were created by the stress and misery of our jobs. Not only that, but we cannot draw social security even though we paid into it for years before becoming a teacher. #3. The truth has been hidden for 30 years. When NCLB created high stakes testing the lies began. Schools had to make the numbers work to get their funding. So, they taught to the test, inflated grades, created fallbacks for failing students to receive credit, passed them along regardless of their ability to learn, AND told them all that college was the only option for a better career. All strategies to increase the numbers, not the reality of what they were learning. Now we have a culture of do nothing and you will get by. We see it even more since covid peeled back the curtain. Half the job is suffering under the lie from both student behaviors and apathy, all of which the teacher is held responsible for, and making the numbers work in your classes so you are not pulled into the office to discuss your failings when it comes to teaching. The students are accountable for absolutely nothing. Not their work ethic, not their grades, not their attitudes, not their behavior. The lie is so deep and pervasive its disgusting. Nobody can pay you enough to live like this. I'm twenty years in and stuck in this bs retirement trap. Still, I think I'm done. There has to be something better than this, even if that something is Buckee's

[@654ujala]

I only taught for two years but considering the hours I worked, I used to think about how much more I would make if I worked at Starbucks or waited tables. Loved interacting with the kids but all the other aspects of the job made me miserable. Good luck to you! May you escape that feeling of entrapment!

[@twitterchicken]

Why were these things not mentioned first in the video?? These are truly the ROOT causes

[@jim2376]

"The students are accountable for absolutely nothing. Not their work ethic, not their grades, not their attitudes, not their behavior." Former teacher here. Your remark is spot on.

[@meadowlane79]

Yes, I agree! Well said!@@jim2376

[@jennifer3551]

Did I miss something or was there not any discussion of how much more horrible children's behavior has gotten??? I've worked in childcare for several years within the 3-5 age range and the terrible behavior is already starting at that age!

[@SparkleYT37]

Why make parents accountable for their children!? 🙄

[@rjj-52]

Disciplining a child today will have a parent up on charges. If you can't discipline them, then how do you control them? I'm not talking about abuse or torture. I'm talking about much needed tough love and making the child responsible for his/her actions and behavior and recognizing that there are consequences for misconduct in life for everyone. Government and school boards intervene everywhere they are not needed; but when you need them to use and apply common sense to issues, we find them sorely lacking.

[@craZbeauTful]

Part 2

[@LvUhcX]

So true them kids be beating up people 😂

[@jessiebanks8409]

I heard it put this way: “we can’t expel, since a single mom working two or three jobs can’t miss to keep kids at home.” I understand that. It’s indicative of social breakdown that creates a feedback loop from school to home. But it’s almost like they won’t even offer in-school suspension or alternative placement for the most chronic behavior kids. Maybe afraid of being sued?

[@bill7481]

I am a teacher, and this has been my message to my own children: Don’t even think about going into teaching, unless you feel a strong calling to do so. Teacher grievances fall into three main categories: 1. Pay 2. The lack of respect towards the profession 3. The fact that society has tasked teachers with fixing all of its issues

[@Blessed2024.]

We need people like you teaching, maybe you should consider teaching at a private school. My daughter goes to a private school and things are different. Think about it, what parent pays for thier kids schooling when they have access to free public schools. Parents that are willing to make a sacrifice and pay for their children to get a good educations and not wanting them to be influenced by all the bad things going on in public schools. These parents actually discipline their kids and hold their kids accountable, because it’s NOT FREE.

[@Lea-zf7lm]

​@hectorguerrero2488 nice to be able to afford. Why not vote for politicians who actually want to fix the issues and not line their pockets? Texas seems to have more than their fair share of those, starting with the top tier on down lol

[@sarahtiferet598]

Hi Teacher here- Even a " strong calling" wont make up for the lack of respect, support and very poor pay for what we're expected to do ....

[@Herodotus77]

@@Blessed2024. My experience in private schools is that they generally have a lower pay and there are significantly worse behavioral issues (though this just might be my experience). The worst behaving students I knew of or had interactions with (doing things like breaking doors, streaking, and selling drugs) easily got away with it when their parents just made an additional donation to the school. What we really need is for our public school systems to work for all of our young folk.

[@Blessed2024.]

@@Lea-zf7lm well, I’m able to afford it because I worked really hard. I can’t sit around or just work 9-5 waiting for others to fix the School system. I always vote for the right measures but many people don’t want to come around. My wife and I do what we need to do. We both came from poor families that came from other country’s to the USA. We love this country🇺🇸

[@bobbysands6923]

I'm a college professor. I have it better than most and it is great job. But my main challenges are behavioral problems--something you should not expect at the college level. And the issues are usually with students not being able to get along with other students, or outright abusing them. Bullying is rampant. And the administration, while rattling the saber about a "zero tolerance policy," does nothing, and sometimes won't acknowledge there is a problem. This is especially true of "special needs" students, who are higher up on the spectrum, who are given greater leeway with their unacceptable behavior. But my number one concern about teaching is getting shot. I can't believe I just wrote that, but it is the truth. I will be retiring early just for this reason--the fear. And again, this is college...I can't imagine how bad it is for k-12.

[@christianschmidt1556]

I just retired after 26 years teaching ESL in public and have seen it all start in the early years. I hear from my counterpart in middle school that they have fights regularly and have limited bathroom use to single students due to attacks so they monitor restroom use. One of our high schools had a shooting two years ago and a student was caught with a gun last year after being reported on from a parent. In the past most of these kids were gone to a vocation or the military by the time university came around but now they are being pushed into higher education. University was a school of choice in the past.

[@judipierry549]

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the little piece of your heart that has gone dark. I know the feeling as I left nursing after total burnout.

[@darlenedeanglis8093]

Always remember you're dealing with everyone in the world that has some sort of post-traumatic stress disorder or trauma and I always say it's not what you're eating what's eating you this world is a mess and we need God back in it

[@richatlarge462]

I bet it's not coming from the Asian students.

[@Prophezora]

Wow behaviour issues in college? Good grief.

[@davedawe2420]

I am a retired teacher from Canada, and I can tell you honestly that we are facing the very same issues up here. I personally believe the majority of problems stem from societal changes and the complete reversal of attitudes we have today. It has resulted in lack of respect for all levels of authority, lack of responsibility on the part of students AND parents, a deduction in the educational standards, and so much more. Five years ago the Department of Education in my province implemented a policy that eliminated deadlines for students, essentially telling them they could pass in their assignments whenever they felt like it! I'd like to see the employer who's going to agree to that!!! Now the department is eliminating ALL tests because "tests are not an accurate reflection of what the student actually knows, and many students do not perform well on tests due to anxiety." What the hell are we doing to society!?

[@theboombody]

Man, no wonder I couldn't stand the thinking of the radical left if this is what it caused. Give every incentive to be weak and incompetent and no incentive to be strong and capable. But the politicians aren't going to fix it whether they're on the left or the right. I don't know what to do or what's going to happen. All I know is I will not support the adoption of these kinds of policies in any way.

[@g.Raider]

There’s actually a lot of valid evidence behind removing standardized testing from schools, but that assignment ruling is way too ridiculous. You’re right that employers won’t have time for those kinds of standards.

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

How about the disrespect of the children? Forcing children to sit under asbestos ceilings and fluorescent lighting against their will like prisoners of war year after year for the most important years of their life, feeding them an openly obscene curriculum

[@MichaelBlaneWalker]

Thanks, Caillou, for ruining not America’s education system, but also Canadian education system.

[@mrshappilymarried1]

I don't agree with standardized testing. It doesn't always determine how well a child or student will perform in the next grade or life.

[@s.j.anderson176]

Some people have made a passion driven profession so unbearable that the people that were willing to work for the low pay and low quality benefits are no longer willing to do so. And it’s going to get exponentially worse every year.

[@rockon8174]

Nah. They'll just be replaced with Foreign Workers! Mexico, Phillipines will be the biggest providers!

[@videoettaceo8900]

Some people? You mean the people texans elected?

[@debbiegum2226]

Thank you for understanding

[@Standingupstrong993]

Not just Texas. It’s the entire USA. The culture has changed.

[@Superoxidedismutase777]

@@Standingupstrong993 Yup, I'm a teacher and I'll be quitting in a few months. (Florida)

[@rickymcdonald2669]

I wanted to be a teacher because my mother was one. Spoke to a teacher while working corrections and she said with a look I will never forget. Don't do it it's not worth it. She said this in 2002. Glad I listened

[@keciaaskew5166]

It’s not worth it at all.

[@LolUGotBusted]

fifty thousand dead shcoolkids later, we're having trouble getting volunteers. How weird.

[@lisamccray9079]

I feel for teachers 😕 no respect

[@TheBLGL]

You worked in corrections, enough said. Anyone who would willingly do that is a perv or psycho.

[@francismarion6400]

What did you do instead?

[@gregjames9875]

My wife is a science teacher in a large, semi-rural school district. Her last sub note included; which kids didn't speak English and what computer program to use to communicate with them, which kids were not allowed to speak to each other due to litigation, which kids were going to try to get the two kids to talk to each other, which kids had significant health issues and what to do if they had a crisis. Our legislators are asking much too much of our schools.

[@valeriedemello1794]

And now some idiots want to arm teachers so THEY can stop school shootings.

[@geneanthony3421]

That seems to be the same in every industry. People who don't have to deal with the repercussions of their actions making up idealistic policies.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Couldn't pay me enough to take that job

[@wolfumz]

I think, back in the day, these kids would have just dropped out, or flunked into a remedial tract of some kind. Today, that's considered totally unacceptable. Everyone has to stay in highschool, no matter what kind of absurd home situation or barriers they face. But it has really strained the school system. Research recorded what appeared to be racial discrepancies in various metrics, which, you know, something to be aware of, but the admin's 'solutions' to these discrepancies only seem to have fanned the flames. A lot of well-intentioned, but totally boneheaded policies, IMO, are based on this philosophy where you can't even let 1% of the kids slip through the cracks, everyone needs to stick it out. Admin bends over backwards to accommodate these troubled students, so that everyone sticks it out. Sadly, the shepherds have abandoned their flock of 99 sheep to chase down the 1 who wandered off. The result is that the 1 sheep wanders off the next day and gets eaten anyway, and your flock of of 99 did not get the attention they needed. But man. I think we need to let some of these kids drop out, attend alternative schools. The other thing I've definitely seen in Texas, huge swathes of parents don't understand or respect STEM. Heartbreaking, my father and many people in family got excellent educations in engineering in the Texas public university system. My father used to talk about how he got into physics, because in the 1950s and 60s, scientists and physicists were rock stars, on the cover of Time. Now, you have creationists, flat earthers, and sheltered bozos lighting up the teacher and complaining to admin about any little thing you do. Very sad.

[@Nerdvona]

I recently resigned as a High School Teacher. Toughest job I've ever had. Students were amazing, and by far the best part. The stress and anxiety are real and it was refreshing to me to hear others are in the same situation.

[@ThaiThom]

You were smart to resign. Don't look back.

[@ronlugbill1400]

I quit. Twice. Once because of micromanaging by admin. I know all the research and they have no clue. And they try to bully me into doing more small group work or whatever. But the kids just chat with each other and get off-task. The kids enjoy my methods but admin hates it. They hate kids quietly reading or kids quietly doing their work. So they try to bully me into doing silly games where the students get off-task. So, no support from admin so I quit. Job 2. The district has this lame boring workbook curriculum for ELL students. No books in the classroom so I went and bought some. No library in the school. The kids are 90% fluent English speakers but because they flunk the statewide test year after year, they are still in esl classes. They are reading 2, 3, or 4 years below grade level. But instead of doing reading comp, vocabulary, and writing, they are supposed to learn common everyday English. Which they already know. What they don't know is academic English. So, they will remain behind and probably flunk out of high school because they are nowhere near where they need to be. These kids can hardly read. This is an emergency situation. But the school can't do anything because the District ordered the lame workbook curriculum. I refuse to be a part of failing these kids, so after doing reading and literacy activities for a couple weeks, I quit. They hire you for your knowledge, training, and experience. Then they tell you you can't use it and have to play a role in ruining children's lives. I cannot be a part of that. I feel bad, but also feel it was the right thing to do.

[@bootscooty]

They want a bunch of dogs

[@fremontpathfinder8463]

Wow this is so horrible. Kids in general really don't like group work and I only did it if the history simulation or activity I was doing depended on it. I can completely relate to you.

[@monikaw1369]

I agree! Learning a new language for children is easier if you are submerged in it. I think they get so much funding for ESL that they would rather have students take longer to learn the language, then lose the funding.

[@Miranda3730]

I don't know where you are at but you are describing my former district exactly. I'm in a state near Texas.

[@debbiegum2226]

Agreed. Same thing is happening in private schools as well. The powers that he get brainwashed into believing that chaos in the classroom is a good thing. They expect us to teach small groups and criticize us when we are teaching small groups and the rest of the students are quietly working, which is what they’re supposed to do. People talk about the Military Industrial Complex but most people do not realize there is also an Educational Industrial Complex as well. Companies and do-called experts are making a ton of money off of school districts, Admin, teachers, etc., by selling crazy ideas and products to go by along with it. The higher ups in education get suckered into investing in these ideas, software, books, professional development, etc., and then push all of it on the teachers and staff. The trends change every 7 years or so. So this stuff gets pushed onto teachers and we are expected to find time to implement all of these crazy strategies and ideas when we simply do not have enough time during the school day. All of this and scores are not any higher. Too many children are still illiterate and way behind in Math and Science by the time they reach 3rd / 4th grade.

[@dmusicaldaisy]

I quit last year and was having anxiety attacks and my depression worsened, dealing with behavior issues, students go and lie on the teachers, admin worried about looking good by the numbers of test scores, lying about suspension and a-lot of other things. I was a music teacher and love what I do but I couldn’t take it no more. Now I just substitute for elementary only. Middle school was not it.

[@kharineal6520]

I am new to teaching (music; K-6th) and have/am already considering other options outside of this field because of the reasons said here and my own personal needs.

[@dmusicaldaisy]

@@kharineal6520 it’s overwhelming. I hope you find something you really like!

[@scotthearts9634]

@@kharineal6520 understandable, couldn't blame you at all!

[@nae77337]

I do the same. I have way less stress.

[@chrmurr1]

Middle School do too much.😞

[@timeenuf4200]

I work in a chain craft store that gives 15% off to teachers but it still grinds my teeth that teachers, those responsible for the next generations, are paid so little and then have to pay out of pocket for simple classroom decorations and art items. Thank you to all of you who labor on in this career despite the lack of sufficient pay and recognition.

[@geraldfelthammer]

Paid so little? I wish I had that salary, 2-3 months off, and every holiday imaginable off. It’s all part of the planned destruction of the middle class. That way Government can run our lives.

[@navigodelaney119]

Teaching in public school was torturous. We left the whole broken system and homeschooled our kids in a fantastic parent led community of home educators in our area. I loved teaching in that community so much that I still teach there even though my own kids have graduated from college and are now married and starting careers. I hope everyone gets out. The public school system was broken 20 years ago, and it's only worsened.

[@telemachus7732]

It has become a prison system where the inmates run the agenda.

[@splitliving]

It worked for you, and that’s wonderful. That said, I don’t see your way fixing much. This country was built on the concept of strong public education. If it can’t be strengthened and supported, our great experimental democracy fails, too.

[@mysoutherngardeningjourney]

20 years? Nuh-uh. It's been broken way longer than that.

[@theboombody]

When you couldn't send bad kids to the principal's office anymore, that's when things started really going downhill.

[@Eugene-pt5lu]

@@theboombody Right because I remember getting paddled by the principle Mr Barret in the 6th grade, back in 1982.

[@aknudsen93]

I'm a teacher in Illinois. I stopped teaching in the classroom and now I teach ESL. I would never teach in a classroom again. Just a few things we deal with regularly. The disrespect from administration, parents and children. The physical abuse, having idiots that have no background in education making big decisions. Did I mention the cost it takes a district to give all of the tests that chilcren have to take now. The testing companies are making millions off of this. The insane amount of hours, the lack of pay and I completely understand the physical and emotional toll teaching takes on you. I was given a substantial raise but I still am burnt out. I know this. I have 3 years until retirement but I also have other options for jobs. I just am so worn out I feel that staying in teaching is unhealthy for me. After school this summer I laid on the couch for a month. I was so tired just simple things wore me out. I want to make it through the year, but I just don't know.

[@Kawaii_Rockie]

I’m an ESL Adult Educator and I love it! I’ve been doing it for about 3 years now. I just accepted a integrated reading, and writing foundational studies class on the credited side. It’s only been three weeks but I do not like it. The students have attitudes and are always underprepared. I do more fighting and pleading than I do teaching. I will be relinquishing the class next semester.

[@francismarion6400]

How long has it been since you've had Bibles in class?🤔

[@jakeragsdale]

It sounds like you have real depression. I’m not being sarcastic or glib. If you laid on the couch for a month and are/were always drained and tired, it could be depression and treatment might help; doesn’t have to be medication, there are other options but please take care of yourself friend.

[@cutwagman]

As a person who quit in the past ( which is not typical of me) I make sure I make every effort to stay. If it doesn’t work out it doesn’t work out. And I simply had enough. No regrets. The only down side is I don’t have the words to explain to people that ask why did I quit. Unless they walked in your shoes it’s hard to explain.

[@shandafetter553]

I hope you find the very best situation for yourself and take care. There is nothing wrong with putting yourself first. Reading these comments has been eye opening.

[@debbiegum2226]

This was my 25th year teaching. I left less than two weeks ago. I was taking 2 different medications to manage my anxiety plus a sleeping pill. Spent countless hours at my job. Since I’ve been home I have already weaned myself off of one medication and I’m working on getting off the sleeping pill. Trying to figure out what my next plan is. Never thought I would have gotten to this point where I just up and quit. Between all the demands of the job, the excessive trainings and meetings, plus the bad behavior/ complete lack of respect from way too many students (and parents defending their kid) I was miserable and kept trying to make it work. Class sizes of between 26-31 students was also too much. When I started teaching in the inner city many years ago and had 32 students in my class their behavior was nothing compared to the bad behavior of students in the suburbs is today.

[@fabfab5450]

There's no student accountability for misbehavior now. Kids can be blatantly disrespectful and verbally abusive to teachers and receive no consequences. Instead, they come back with a juice box and crackers.

[@LoveLifeinpa1]

Maybe try to add a few more years to your career by teaching in a private school. The pay is generally less but it can be more tolerable in other ways.

[@pinchebruha405]

Section 8 sent inner city families to the suburbs

[@bizzyfit2128]

​@@pinchebruha405Ignorant

[@xochitlmorales8981]

I agree, the behavior of these kids now is unthinkable. I feel censored every day and watch out how and what I say. The sad part is that administrators boast their chest and take all the credit for things they don't do (discipline). The only reason why I stayed this year is because of my Cancer treatment, but can't wait to leave.

[@Babeatrice]

I spent $350 on $50 visa gift cards for each of my son’s teachers for Christmas, and I still don’t feel it was enough. Bless you people doing God’s work helping these children.🙏

[@WriterProfessor]

They are quitting everywhere and for the same reasons: low pay, excessive administration, no autonomy or authority, poor working conditions, testing for testing sake, and (not least of all) no accountability for student’s behavior or their families who have the responsibility of raising them. Until you address the issue of single parent households and fatherless homes, you will never stop teachers leaving.

[@KJ-yb2wf]

I was a teacher for two months and it was the WORST two months of my adult life. I was literally having those fatal “dark thoughts.” I got outta there immediately! No notice!

[@jillsalkin7389]

Decent people, with the best of manners, walk out like you did. It brings out the WORST in you!! I had no idea that I could be laid so low, and that I could be so angry with students.

[@cyndimoring9389]

@@jillsalkin7389 It's definitely an art. It took me a good 2 years of hell to figure out how to do it right.

[@chelseacraft4669]

Law requires childcare supervision 24/7. So who did you think was going to be providing that while the kids were in your class?

[@inthevault9603]

Good for you. Can’t wait to retire. Five to six more yrs after this one.

[@fuzzyelm1]

Glad you got out of it we do not need weak people teaching children ! We need to stop allowing leftist propaganda to be taught in college so we dint get so many weak minded teachers

[@Imissyoulou]

They said nothing about student behavior. I know that is an issue in other districts.

[@eksbocks9438]

They're always in denial about it. It's really childish.

[@la1562]

Every thing these teachers said is absolutely true. I stepped away 10 years ago and only 1 or 2xs missed the kids. None of the rest. There is no amount of money that can compensate the emotional, physical, mental and psychological scars the cognitive dissonance these trachers endure.

[@Vincent-fo7xp]

I got a Bachelor's degree in California. taught after school specials for a year, absolutely hated it!! the rotten despicable little brats are in charge not the teachers or administrators. One negative word from one of these little brats and you're either put on probation, or move to another school or straight-up fired.. on top of that parents think they're all scholars..

[@joesmith9216]

yeah and thats the thing right there, children are in charge now, so whats the point of teaching them if they know everything??? we may go to war with children haha, I am serious, they are out of control.

[@dking1362]

If every student came to school with decent behavior, a respectful attitude, and the willingness to try, teaching would be HEAVEN. Many of us would (continue to) endure low pay and the other stressors if these conditions were met and we received support from parents and administrators.

[@xochitlmorales8981]

I started teaching in private school. The long hours, prep, events that I had to attend got overwhelming. The discipline was manageable, but the pay was not that good. I then decided to go into public teaching because of the better pay and more growth opportunities. I don't regret it but the discipline, pay, amount of work is ridiculous.

[@chelseacraft4669]

Homeschooling is free now. We don’t need a public welfare system of schooling. Force the parents to take care of their own brats.

[@v.m.8472]

@@chelseacraft4669I agree. If you want a good school, teach your children with work you view coming from the classroom. Sit down at night and during vacation and review. Help other parents and come into the classroom and lend a hand. Don’t just stand around and gossip on the playground! Offer to grade homework, clean the classroom after school. If you don’t want to contribute: teach your kids yourself.

[@dking1362]

@@chelseacraft4669 We do need public schools. Teaching is much more complex than the majority of the public believes! It requires knowledge AND a sophisticated set of skills. Most parents do not have the skills; and many would be unable to be home with their children daily. And I resent your label of children as "brats" - unnecessarily derogatory.

[@chelseacraft4669]

@@dking1362 you need an education about what online homeschooling is. Wake me up whenever you get enlightened and we’ll talk.

[@linhaton4957]

Teachers need to stop saying, I am not in it for the money. Teachers need a big raise, especially in Florida.

[@KD-up3sz]

I agree. Professional compensation for the "most important job in the world," as everyone likes to say.

[@janetpartyka5968]

I AGREE. TEACHERS DO NEED TO STOP SAYING IT. YOU NEED TO MAKE A LIVING FOR GOODNESS SAKE!

[@dianehawkins5872]

I’ve taught for 31 years. It has caused me much stress through the years. It’s a very difficult job. I love my students but dealing with disgruntled parents wears a person down. It’s also the many responsibilities we have on us plus the constant classroom management every second of the day…it is taxing. Kids can be very disrespectful, disruptive, and demeaning. If we had about 15 kids in our classroom, it would be easier to manage. Kids come in with so many emotional needs due to lack of proper parenting (some are neglectful or physically abusive to their children). Also, the kids come in being extremely worldly due to social media and again parents not supervising them. I love helping my students and seeing them learn skills or understanding how to be respectful, but I am looking forward to my retirement. I’ve earned it. If you don’t understand what we deal with, substitute TEACH for a week in a public school…not sit and look at your phone.

[@jq8974]

♥️🙏🏾I am a single mom and I started homeschooling when I saw that my schools (and my kids in the middle of it) were overwhelmed. I’m in Canada, but the same issues are here because they’re culture and not just government. Honestly, Jesus helped me and my family, and if we’ve never looked back. Not saying it was easy, but it was better by far. We found a homeschool community around us and locked in and it was like we were in a small town with people who cared. All my kids grade point averages went up 20% and I’m not an amazing teacher. It just made such a difference to not have all the negatives around us so the kids could actually learn. And the homeschool families actually provided community and not just problems. The Internet made connecting together so easy. I don’t know what your situation is with your kids, but don’t rely on the schools while the situation is so broken. There are other ways. And to these teachers, God bless you. I hope you heal and find your path forward.

[@johndougherty7275]

Good for you

[@minimaxmiaandme.4971]

My niece is doing exactly the same thing as you, she home schools and the kids are getting a phenomenal education but the home schooling support is amazing. They are taught so many interesting things that they would miss out on at public school.

[@jq8974]

@@minimaxmiaandme.4971 I am so glad to hear it. Will pray for them all tonight ♥

[@tanyaansley3992]

I am an educator of 27 years. I told my personal children-DO NOT major in Education, unless the Nation decides to honor the profession with more respect and money. However, I can assure you, it will never happen. If government gives you $2,000, more a year they think this is the most exciting news ever. Really? $2, 000 ...unreal.

[@dking1362]

I did the same. We are losing "the best of the best" going into the teaching profession, which is needed more than ever. (And one year our raise was $200....seriously?!)

[@Standingupstrong993]

Yes! Same here!

[@frankduci7138]

My wife and I just retired after 57 combined years of teaching. My kids are in investment banking and engineering. Told them not to pursue teaching.

[@francismarion6400]

Really there is no where left to run in this economy. No pay can keep up with this inflation.

[@KD-up3sz]

Yes. I told my children the same thing. I also tell any young person that says they are thinking of becoming a teacher how much I get paid as a 15 year veteran teacher. I think that pretty much changes their mind.

[@milaalt1141]

It is very true that the anxiety is real. You have put on more hats, the students are coming from homes where there is so much trauma to the kids causing them not to want to learn, and some kids' behavior is like they don't care about how they hurt individuals. You also come home after school just to do paperwork. Also, they may have breaks, but it don't matter because you are trying to plan during break to make sure the kids are learning.

[@rockon8174]

Anxiety is also triggered by vaxes!

[@sabrenak9063]

It's an exhausting job

[@videoettaceo8900]

​@@rockon8174you're a ridiculous disinformation peddler.

[@Standingupstrong993]

Yessssss!

[@astrinymris9953]

And on top of that, you have politicians blaming you for all the problems in education, claiming you're lazy for not being able to overcome all the negative effects of poverty, generational trauma, and racism, ignoring the fact that most of these problems are caused or exacerbated by decades of trickle-down economics.

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

This is so sad. I’m 24, I was homeschooled K-12 by my incredible mom. I got an amazing education. It’s so horrifying to me that people would treat teachers like that who are trying to help kids who don’t have the privilege of being homeschooled! But honestly, I feel like the only real solution for these poor teachers would be if _everybody_ who has the finances and capacity to homeschool their kids, did. The public school system seems to me to be way too bloated and massive to possibly care for each child the way they need. Let alone the teachers. Yes, it’s a sacrifice of one partner’s career. But it’s one of the most fulfilling things you could possibly do, and you have control over what your kids are taught, not a massive public school system that doesn’t care about them.

[@smplfi9859]

career vs livelihood. she didn't sacrifice anything and you shouldn't reflect upon it like that, as some form apologism on behalf of your moms life as it is lesser because she didn't sit in an office for 40 hours a week. You did not derail your moms life simply by being born. You were not a parasite in your moms uterus. She was answering her nature. Ya know, instead of rejecting it....

[@AisforAlibi1]

A lot of this goes back to when mothers began to return to work in droves and daycare became the "thing". Children stopped getting one on one attention at home and were shuffled around in groups where their needs were not getting met.

[@splitliving]

Ah, the Working Women Blame Game rears its ugly head again. Perhaps you might want to read a little economic history about that. And, btw, what makes you think only females could give children “one on one attention at home”?

[@xochitlmorales8981]

As a current teacher, this information is right on. I am currently battling cancer, but feel good to be in the classroom teaching. I had asked for an accommodation of not being out in the sun due to my treatment and was told I still had to do it if I went under the shade. These administrators are senseless and are covering their asses. When I first started teaching 19 years ago in California, there was more rapport among staff and understanding. Honestly speaking, if it weren't for my medical condition and the need for health insurance, I would have left. Beware if you complain that you have a challenging student because you are deemed incompetent. Those of us teachers who have good management always get punished with challenging students.

[@galaxywolf969]

I am very sorry about your cancer. Three years ago, I had a spinal chordoma that was taking up most of the left sphere of my brain. IT took ten years to discover it. I was a teacher with 18 years of experience at that point. I had so much support from all my former students, my family, and incredible surgeons. After two surgeries and seven weeks of pinpoint radiation I emerged 98% cancer free into Covid. After two years of at home teaching, mixed hybrid teaching and a terrible principal, after 20 years I left teaching. I absolutely loved my job, loved every single kid. Generally, I had great parents, though of course I had several throughout the years that would not have won any parenting awards, but in the end it was a terrible principal , a lousy school district administration, and increasing numbers of standardized testing that did it. Honestly, the pay was always a problem but I was more than willing to teach anyway. Now, I sub about three days a week for friends and people I know are great teachers. I love it. I very much hope you have an amazing surgeon and all the support that you deserve. You deserve it. Thank you for being a teacher from an retired teacher from Texas.

[@jeffreymartin6369]

I’m sorry. Education in Texas sucks. They make it hard to teach

[@inthevault9603]

Get a lawyer for ADA especially if you teach in California. We have a lot of protections living there. That’s one upside residing and working in CA.

[@fuzzyelm1]

Too many weak minded teachers like the ones in the video

[@gamero31o]

I recently started as a substitute teacher. I had good days and bad days, but I chose this profession because I have great respect for teachers and true education. So I want to do my part in teaching kids not just book smarts but how to be better people. You are a real good person and you deserve respect. Next time a school or administrator deny your rights for a better work environment, lawyer up.

[@danielhe551]

Taught high school math for 5 years, quit last year!! Best decision I have ever made. The system is just burn your passion , physical health and mental health out!! Let the parents teach their own kids!

[@selliepaddie2066]

Good for you, your mental health is important too. That's why I teach my own, I wanted to put them in school but the other kids who won't behave and act wild are too much and then instead of math, reading, science being learned my kid just learns that they don't have to listen to the teachers "because the other kids weren't", how to lie better,that hitting is okay if no one sees you do it, and new cuss words or sex acts discribed really in accurately lol

[@DavidGivinsnhe]

I am banned from earning a living in Miami Dade county public schools after 13 years teaching elementary and don't know why since 2014 yet I'm lounging in NYC planning for Miami Dade county public schools future and the world's intelligence and wealth forever! I'm Good!

[@DavidGivinsnhe]

Good point about letting the parents teach their children! How would you better the school system?

[@NaturalBrownCupcake]

​@DavidGivinsnhe Goverment and some admin need to stop treating it like a business, and parents need to raise, not coddle, kids. That's a great start to making it better. Next, respect teachers and pay them their worth.

[@Christina-pv5yq]

This is how I felt. I had to leave a beloved job in the travel industry because I was under so much stress my health was declining. And despite how glamorous it looks to work for an airline, it just doesn't pay enough to live.

[@sonyabolden9652]

Great teachers are a gem! I still have fond love for my teachers & I graduated in '85. My kid knew to respect her teachers. They were our partners to get her through & off to college.

[@kcc879]

The anxiety is dehabilitating you can’t function. Abuse cursing violence aggression lack of parental engagement lack of parenting makes teaching impossible I cry every time I go back to school

[@batriciaparker]

😢🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@eksbocks9438]

I've also heard of students making false and horrendous statements by phone. Just so the school could go on lockdown. And they wouldn't have to go to class. Our society tolerates this behavior too much. And administrators would rather punish the whistleblower. Because they're childish too.

[@MrTantriq]

As a school Behavior Interventionist, I lived under so much stress for so many years, that I eventually had a heart attack, immediately following restraining a student who was attacking his teacher. I have so many stories about my and other teacher’s experiences. It all boils down to: This job is bad for your health. It’s objectively measurable.

[@galaxywolf969]

I was one of the three teachers SAMA trained on my campus. About ten years ago, we had a boy who picked up a chair and hit the Art teacher with it and then ran outside. I was called out to get him as normally he and I got along ok and I was the only male teacher on my elementary campus. He picked up a rock and threw it at my face. Still have the scar. I was able to restrain him safely and the next day the parents complained that the Art teacher had been "unkind' which he why he ran. He did later apologize to me though. Behaviour Intervention is a tough job. Much respect from a retired teacher.

[@carolynschuster291]

Your inability to control the situation si the reason. Perverted and disordered standards for behavior are destructive and even malicious

[@TaijeyClawy]

​@@carolynschuster291How, pray tell, would you control the situation then. Bear in mind that teachers cannot touch the child and I'm fairly certain that Intervention has their own procedures of what they're allowed to do.

[@carolynschuster291]

@TaijeyClawy my point. The standards for dealing with children is the problem

[@TaijeyClawy]

@@carolynschuster291 Ah, I seem to have misunderstood your initial comment. My apologies.

[@bweaver760]

Taught in public school for 1 year, and that was one year too many! Went back to private and saved my mental health!

[@nancymouledoux694]

I’m a substitute and I so respect teachers. They give so much. My heart breaks for these teachers who have to leave because they can’t continue.

[@frankduci7138]

Taught in Texas for 29 years. Wife taught 28 years. Retired to Kansas to be near my adult daughter and very low cost of living. Shocked Texas didn't give teachers a raise with a budget surplus. That was a slap in the face. I love not worrying about the job anymore. Was really starting to worry about my wife's health. Teachers get pissed on from every direction. Students, parents, administration. My last years, I just tried to get along with everyone and chose no mountain to die on. The system is broken clearly. No consequences for anything. Students come and go from school as they please, come to school under the influence, and get away with mistreating staff. Most kids are okay. But the 5 percent that aren't ruin school for the others. The stress is always relentless. Meetings before school and during your off period. Covering classes due to lack of subs. That administrator doing walk-throughs on a Friday afternoon. Tantrums and fights are pretty regular. Toward the end of my career, it was shootings off-campus, lockdowns, EMTs treating drug overdoses. Few young teachers can survive a long career in education now unless they start holding students accountable. No longer are kids suspended, sent to alternative school. All the higher- ups want everyone in class.

[@654ujala]

It sucks because if they kicked out the disruptive students, maybe their parents would hold them accountable. I doubt these parents would want to drive their child to an alternative school. These are the kids who need to learn that making bad choices have bad consequences-- better they learn it while they are young and can change. Keeping these kids in class only disrupts every other child’s learning environment.

[@Dontgiveup964]

Yes,teachers, quit! They don't know what we go through!!!

[@terrymeadows1827]

Teachers do not deserve to be mistreated. The most important need these days is to fire all administrators above the campus principal. Only he or she should have the ultimate authority in the school they serve. Yet teachers should be able to submit evaluations of them and if the teacher is fired, so is the principal(s).

[@jazzstandardman]

High school English teacher from Texas here. I'm mostly happy with my job. The stress, as I see it, mainly arises from the extra things that are constantly assigned by people who do not spend time in the classroom. Their positions were created in order to "fix" problems. Once a person has that position, they will do whatever it takes to justify their position. Of course, these problems stem from our broken social structures. Try as they may, the public school system and the state cannot fix this. But as a teacher, I have learned not to worry much about whether I can save all the students. If parents can't raise their kids, that's not my job either. The world is too big. I'm not here to save it or even make it better. Just teach, and if I happen to inspire a few people along the way, good enough.

[@fixitchic]

Louisiana here! Quit after 17 years and couldn’t be happier. No more anxiety medication, sleeping better and working a job that’s over when I log off. I’ll have to work until I’m 65 but I gotta survive in the present!

[@gwenna1161]

in defense of teachers... having to pay for school supplies out of pocket is disgusting on the system

[@luisvilla799]

I don’t mind that to a point the pupil behavior is awful

[@Helloamenze]

Former teacher here! 🙋🏾‍♀️ Man, I relate to these teachers so much and have experienced all of their symptoms from the stress. I’m so young and have increased in so many health issues over my 5 years of teaching. I felt like an old woman trapped in a 30 year old body. My doctor had told me I need to find something different or they would put me on medication. I knew it was time to go when I came to the decision of choosing between my health and work. It should never be a thought because life is too short to be stressed over a career. I was so sad because I love my students. My whole reason of being a teacher was to make a difference in a child’s life. It’s far more difficult to do it in a classroom than people think with all the odds against you, lack of support, and ignorance. God be with these educators. It’s not easy. 😢

[@jm7578]

Hi I’ve been teaching 23+ years in the inner city. It does take a toll…..

[@Blessed2024.]

We need people like you teaching, maybe you should consider teaching at a private school. My daughter goes to a private school and things are different. Think about it, what parent pays for thier kids schooling when they have access to free public schools. Parents that are willing to make a sacrifice and pay for their children to get a good educations and not wanting them to be influenced by all the bad things going on in public schools. These parents actually discipline their kids and hold their kids accountable, because it’s NOT FREE.

[@JSon-yl1ty]

Without respect, there is no learning.

[@cshubs]

I was a teacher of young children, 3-5, for ten years. Even the 3s were getting out of control!

[@jojo060612]

Great topic and coverage. I would like to hear more about this

[@housepianist]

My wife is in the public school system and has been for over 20 years. While she loves teaching, it was taking a huge toll on her physically and mentally so she decide to get out of that and work as a multimedia tech in her school instead, aka, a librarian! The pay is the same (somewhat decent) and she just sees kids for brief periods throughout the day so she doesn’t have to deal with all the usual issues all day long. Her stress has gone down, her anxiety has gone down, and she feels a little better about herself now.

[@happycook6737]

These teachers are correct in what they are saying! To young people, do NOT consider teaching as a career. You can't make a difference because like in a Las Vegas casino, the House always wins. Here is a typical elementary class at my school: 4 students whose moms used drugs and/or alcohol while pregnant, 5 special education students that pull down your test scores and require an insane amount of teacher time and attention without making much progress, 1 or 2 gifted kids which need to be intellectually challenged, 4 to 5 kids new to English, and then a total class size of 29! I'm retiring in 6 years, thank God. This horrible mess in teaching really accelerated 2010 onwards. Parents are all Kens/Karens accepting NO responsibility for their spawn. Most kids have a severe internet addiction, yes even the 5 year olds! They have very poor fine/gross motor skills. Most can't carry on a conversation beyond talking about what they want to eat or what new video game they want to play. It is absolutely shocking to me. Title 1 school in a large city.

[@H8RSAPPRECIATE]

I can’t blame you in special education classes it’s hard to help kids with special Ed needs they would have to want to learn or get better at what they are learning or else your like forget it

[@ycplum7062]

Correction: Do not consider teaching in an area whete the parents, school district and state do not support the teachers.

[@alejandromaldonado6159]

​@@ycplum7062Most places do not care about teachers at all. Do teacher unions even increase their wages or do they only exist to control and protect bad teachers.

[@inthevault9603]

So in other words,don’t consider teaching as a profession, because they don’t care about teachers anywhere you go. I don’t care what district it is. 😂😂😂😂

[@questcore636]

then who is going to teach them? time to toughen up and do your civic duty

[@rzambory2938]

You represent the product of your environment. In my opinion, we have children teaching children The dumbing down of America is in full swing.

[@LizA-ry4nb]

As a first year substitute teacher I'm seeing first hand what teachers deal with. I have come across several 3rd graders who can't (or barely) read! It was so crushing to see. I cried. These students did not have a disability. Once I read the question they were capable of comprehending and answering the questions about what was in the story. Some could barely write! The spectrum of abilities were vast. It amazes that we don't put more into our schools & teachers as this is our future workforce.

[@StarGirl-oz5gh]

A teacher's work is never done. The job is phyically, mentally and emotionally draining.

[@liveglobal5879]

My youngest son. From age 3 had the hardest time integrating into public system emotionally. He suffers with Autism. I spent his first 5 years in school a crying emotional mess because I felt like I didn't know how to help him. BUT the heros (teachers, staff personnel and principle) at the elementary school he went to went beyond the call of duty to help my Harold. Each year it was so much love and support given to my kid and my family. One accommodations after the other until we figure out together what worked for Harold. These people displayed wisdom and strong character, love and concern. I'll never forget thier heroism and how it has impacted Harold's life mine and my family today.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

Special ed teachers. I met some of the best people then and some ..not so good.

[@jm7578]

Wishing the absolute best for your son, anyone who effectively teaches children on the autism spectrum is a superhero in my book. I worked in many special ed, self-contained classes with autistic children, as well as students who were emotionally disturbed, which is a term we use in New York as ED. It takes a person who truly values the quality of life for children to do that job.

[@SweetNeoCon407]

I know folks in education. There is too much paperwork and administrative work. Low pay. No support from administrators with disruptive students and their parents. Meanwhile, superintendents and their staff earn over 2x - 5x the base pay and do little to nothing, except create more work for the teacher.

[@Victor-lr2xr]

My mother was in a choir. During breaks the teachers in the choir would grade homework. They do not have a 8 hour work day. Preparing lessons, grading work, helping students are done on teachers own time with no pay for it.

[@optomix3988]

As an educator for over 15 years I can relate to these people. We are expected to do so much and there is very little reward or recognition. I will say most of the students are really great but there some that make the profession extremely hard and there is little anything that anyone can do about it. The parents don't seem to care or don't follow through on discipline and don't expect the admin to do anything about it either. So you just have to suck it up and pray.

[@curtisdavis8594]

🙏 for existing teachers...

[@terrymeadows1827]

I'm sure you know that this is not just happening in Texas. At the high school I taught in Charlotte, NC., we lost no fewer than one-third of our faculty every single year! The problem was not the salary, but that Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District Central office administrators were openly---publicly!--hostile to teachers. That was twenty years ago. You cannot put that proverbial genie back into the bottle. I'm sure those schools are complete zoos today. Yes, Texas, I have no doubt that your teachers get no respect and that is the self-serving Central Office throwing good teachers under the proverbial bus. The people who are running the schools should be the campus principals. The central office needs to be completely emptied.

[@videoettaceo8900]

Just let moms for liberty run everything 😂you'll have zero education but lots of good little "con servatives."

[@lilblizzy]

CMS schools are the worse now. The pay is horrible, and compared to Ft. Mill schools, it's disgusting. The administration is awful. Being a teacher used to be rewarding, it's a burden now.

[@EyeLean5280]

And principals should be hired from among the faculty. No more business-school graduates running schools!

[@terrymeadows1827]

Absolutely! @@EyeLean5280

[@janetpartyka5968]

And the states need to PAY TEACHERS MORE MONEY!!

[@SunShinesBlessing]

I’ve had migraines for the last 2 years! I quit & I’ve never felt better in my health but I miss my babies!

[@alanjaw546]

My wife just quit her 7th grade teaching job. 7th grade. Totally not worth it. Kids lack behavioral boundaries. Literacy was 3rd grade at best. Admin offered support and just rolled over the second the parent called. They threw things at her, cursed at her, turned over desks and chairs. It's a total lack of parenting.

[@lynnturman8157]

It's just burnout. Simple as that. I was a teacher for 21 years & most teachers had to put in 50, 60, 70 hour weeks all year long. And it's not like they get summers off either. They are expected to go to trainings, professional development, revise lesson plans, study last year's test scores, etc.

[@jamimiller6980]

My daughter just graduated college and is in her first teaching job. She works in an inner-city school and was so excited to get this position. A few weeks in and she dreads going to work everyday. The children are out of control (2nd graders), parents blame her for everything (even things that happened with their kids the last two years), and there is no support from the school. Kids are so disrespectful. She’d probably quit today if she could.

[@chgosatrap]

she needs to quit while she is still young. HURRY! GET OUT!!!!

[@chelseacraft4669]

Child welfare laws require supervision 24/7, 360. Public school violates the child welfare laws. These Lord of the flies academies provide no adult supervision or protection for anyone’s child. From the moment they get on the bus till the moment they get off the bus. Then… Families having 10 children disproportionately, steal 10 slices of the school tax pie, shortchanging all the families who have one or two kids. This is unconstitutional. it creates a special class of over breeders who get special privileges to abuse the public school system. Homeschooling is free now. They even provide tablets that are loaded with all of the software necessary for the child to have a perfectly adequate education. And as the law requires, the families will have to provide childcare/supervision. Mommies and daddies are going to have to get together and figure out how they can all rotate and put several families of kids together while somebody supervises on their day off. You would be amazed at how ingenious women can be when faced with having kids they don’t want anything to do with and needing childcare. It’s time all those single moms get online and find each other and work it out. Example… if Sally is off on Monday, she can take all the kids at her house and Beth can take the kids on Tuesday and Cindy can take the kids on Wednesday and then Sally can take the kids on Thursdays but not the third Thursday of the month, etc. Get out your little calendars ladies… you’ve got them on your phones… If you can’t do this, you should just give your kids up for adoption because they’d be better off without you. Someone has to say it! We got in this mess by sugarcoating and coddling and making everybody feel good about everything all the time. It’s time people get uncomfortable and stop inflicting their shortcomings & their little monsters on the whole nation.

[@danielmorse4213]

Again parents are a major problem

[@JSon-yl1ty]

Without respect, there is no learning.

[@daleroberts1383]

After all the crap I have seen and heard going on in school over the years, my advice to your daughter is to get out ASAP before she is another INNOCENT VICTIM no longer with us. School boards and school administrators could give a shit less about the teachers. THEIR LIVES ARE NOT ON THE LINE, TEACHERS LIVES ARE.

[@joenemeth9606]

WOW SO AMAZING!!! Bless everyone in this amazing science!!!

[@rogerclark9285]

It's not just the money. Over the last 10 years of my career the micro-management and useless paperwork was simply too much to deal with.

[@Escherlife]

I have been a teacher in Australia for over 30 years. There are many days lately that I think about quitting. The reason is that the current problems in society are so obvious amongst young children. No respect, no manners, no resilience, no concept of work or practice in order to learn. Parents unwilling to teach them these basic skills and concepts. Kids breaking down into tears or just being rude and belligerent in order to get their way. They think they are in charge…and they manipulate you into doing what they want, when they want because they know you have no power or authority over how they act. Of course not all kids are like this, but every year more and more are.

[@smplfi9859]

cause their feminist moms are refrigerator parents who raise them through female manipulation. what do expect them to learn when you a 80% female teacher ratio, kick the dads and worship the moms for being able to 'bag a rich one'??? seems women love emotional manipulation only when they were the ones weaponizing it, but now that they've trained little boys to do it, 'it's gone too far'?. Public schooling is nothing but a jobs program for adults. I digress though this issue wouldn't happen in a high trust society, but we are being forced by internationalism to give up high trust societies for multicultural dilution. I don't accept that status quo and neither should you. Silence against the violence against White nations is violence itself. It makes you complicit. White Unity Every Opportunity to all our Anglosphere brothers and sisters.

[@deepshotone]

Ive said for many year that teachers, policemen, firefighters and EMT should all be taxed exempted. This way a 50,000 salary is truley $50,000

[@justliberty4072]

And all the other people who make $50k per year?

[@deepshotone]

@@justliberty4072 did you read my comment or are you being difficult?

[@nessparadis6948]

That wouldn’t be bad idea. Firefighters, police officers, and EMT are protecting lives and putting their lives in peril on the frontlines. They shouldn’t be paid so little. Teachers in a way put their lives on the frontlines too dealing with what they do 😂.

[@dawnturitto8442]

No one should pay taxes. It is voluntary theft. People forget that the 16th Amendment was passed as a measure to fund the Civil War. Or perhaps, the Civil War was a means to start taxing U.S. citizens. Either way, it makes me wonder just how our country got along without government interventions...my guess would be...just fine.

[@sayitaintso7544]

Its when teachers are also expected to be corrections officers though it doesnt fall under their job description. Politicians putting up road blocks certainly will push more teachers out.

[@sbalman]

I am a retired teacher. I could teach anywhere where I live tomorrow because the shortages are so high. Teachers are sick of the serious risks such practically unrestricted gun ownership, low pay, parents thinking they should decide what should be taught and how, ridiculous demads on a teacher's time outside of a school day. I would never teach again and can well understand why people are leaving teaching and why people don't want to go into teaching. Our country will pay for this...our kids will continue to fall behind.

[@goals-sx1wz]

Each teacher needs a classroom aide as well as raise asap.

[@Fosterfireglass]

What they said and so much more. But. It should also be said that teachers are hired to TEACH. They should not be free labor for everything under the sun including directing traffic and so much more. I finally quit one school when I had no more tutoring time but double the duty time from when I started. No extra pay, btw.

[@Jennifer-653]

OMG, yes. What's with the traffic duty, IEP meetings, recess duty, etc.

[@dii1824]

YES! People don't realize that the job also goes beyond the classroom. There is so so much that teachers do and it's only getting worse.

[@williamhoodtn]

My daughter is a veteran middle school teacher. All these things brought up are valid not just in TX but in our state of TN. Super sad situation really. Our state and local officials are failing our students in so many ways including common sense discipline of out of control students (bully's really), but so are many parents (in name only) who don't work daily with their kids on homework, discipline (children need consequences and accountability), respect for teachers, peers and themselves, etc.

[@annecosgrove2133]

My husband’s former district in PA clawed back cost of living raises in a negotiated contract in 2009, and when the next contract negotiations came around they threatened to not give a contract if the teachers didn’t take the new offer with no restoration of the money they clawed back (the district was doing just fine) and also added $4000 in new health care costs. The teachers reluctantly signed. The next day everyone at all the buildings started working to the rule. They show up 5 minutes before the official start time, do the minimum and leave as soon as they can at the end of the day. The exodus started, some teachers who spoke another language even went overseas. Fast forward to 2023, they started begging retired teachers to come back to teaching because for some reason, people aren’t going into the profession (like my daughter). The pay is about 2/3 of what my son makes in his first out-of-college job, and working conditions are the same. And my son has much better health care benefits. Hmmm….

[@DiBy-0]

Thank you for having the courage and leadership to inform the public on this. Its a shame Florida news agencies don’t display this type of courage.

[@rickymcdonald2669]

Desantis would do his best Hitler impersonation to destroy them

[@francismarion6400]

​@rickymcdonald2669 Florida has a robust school voucher program. There is no reason to send a kid to public school to learn Evolution + Marxism = National Socialism.

[@hanssvineklev648]

@rickymcdonald2669. Oh, please. Oh, please. Oh, please. That would be HEAVEN!!!

[@tammyflashy9328]

@@rickymcdonald2669sure. Can we get back to reality now.

[@Thomas63r2]

I'm a middle school math teacher in my 60's in the great state of Texas. I'm in a new district this year, and my 7th graders are largely testing out at the 2nd to 5th grade level. As can be expected with many students who are a couple of years behind grade level, there are a lot of associated behavioral issues. Probably an easy 1/3 of my classroom time is spent on redirecting student focus. I am required to cover a curriculum that the majority of my students are not academically strong enough to grasp. There are many reporting and compliance requirements. It is virtually impossible to actually do everything correctly - there is not enough time in the day ever. The long term teachers who remain in teaching are survivors who have figured out how to check off boxes without running afoul of their teaching contract. In my experience the vast majority of legislators, no matter what they may say publicly, do not like educators and have no intent of ever properly funding and staffing our K-12 schools. The great irony of the legislative push to allow for education vouchers to redirect money towards various private schools, is that those schools discriminate in ways that is forbidden in public schools. These private schools can and do reject special needs students and students with behavioral issues. They simply say they are not equipped to handle those students and they are magically off the hook. These private schools they are not required to fully follow state or federal curriculum requirements, and they may use unaccredited materials. The legislative push is essentially to make public schools a dumping ground - showing the true intent of the legislators.

[@stage6fan475]

One of the best summaries of the basic problem I've seen. The real problem is Republicans care only about the people who send their kids to private school. The public schools are a dumping ground that they see no value in. Further, they have an irresistible desire to defund anything even slightly Democratic (the party), and most teachers would probably vote Democrat believing they have a better chance of more funding from them.

[@tarafarah7]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@barackthecomposer6642]

My fellow teacher brother! Thank you for your service. As a 39 year veteran educational consultant, I attest to every statement you just made. I am shocked at the level of neglect by both the parents, and the authorities who have the power to make a difference. I have also noticed that most of my students at all levels, elementary, middle, high school, and “college,“ are a minimum of 3 to 4 grade levels below where they should be. In reading comprehension, writing, math, speech skills, and basic life skills.

[@Trund27]

This is absolutely terrifying. People have to start voting for progress and for the future.

[@ReconXOverland]

“Great State of Texas” 😂😂

[@robinhill8787]

Thank you for the update

[@livelovelife32]

I fully support children with major behavior problems being homeschooled. Let the parents get involve with their child's education so they can finally understand what teachers are saying. Will probably make schools safer as well. I also support homeschooling or changing schools for badly bullied children. A lot of these children experience severe, life-damaging bullying and the teachers hands are tied by stupid rules. Then the children spiral down emotionally, have a mental break, and come in Monday morning with guns blazing. As a parent understand when the situation has gotten to the point where you NEED to remove your child from it. Fighting the good fight is all well and good but don't leave the child there while you're doing it. And foster an open door policy with them from young so they feel comfortable enough to TELL you when something is wrong. That little habit becomes invaluable during the teen years.

[@VictoriaInamorati]

Screw that. I homeschool my daughter because there are way too many violent kids. How about offering vouchers for actively involved parents to homeschool so it doesn't have to cost me $900/year on top of property taxes. Until they bring back reform schools for all the violent kids and schools for only the special needs kids, no normal child should be in public school. Schools waste way too much money on sped kids, some of which shouldn't even be in school. I'm sorry but if a teenager needs one assistant to wipe his butt, another to walk his emotional support dog and has to be in sped classes that is money not going to the AP students. Accept the fact the retard Johny isn't going to be a rocket scientist.

[@miriamp4437]

Yes agree to let the parents get involved in their child’s education the problem is that the parents that should get involved don’t or don’t see the problem their child is making.

[@olivrspeach]

I just pulled my daughter out to homeschool her. She was so excited to be starting middle school, but in the 2nd week of school, a girl started picking on her and punched her. They suspended the girl for a few days, but I just didn't feel like my daughter would be safe there. These kids have gotten horrible, and they're given no serious consequences for their actions.

[@Alison2436]

basically u are saying "i just want to deal with the easy and fun parts of my job" 🙄

[@nativenation11]

homeschool for some will mean no school. Some kids barely made it out of 19 alive.

[@mrmikecebu]

Teachers are tired of raising your kids that you refused to raise teachers are being attacked by parents who should be disciplining their children 7th and 8th grade is a nightmare

[@pittarak1]

Australian teacher here: you pay your teachers an absolute pittance and you wonder why they're leaving? I'm a casual (you call them substitutes) and in NSW, Australia, we get A$550/day which is US$358/day. Full time teachers start at A$95k/year = US$62k/year. Why does the wealthiest country in the world pay their educators so poorly?

[@moretoknowshow1887]

Friend of mine is a fmr suburban Jr. High teacher here in the area who ended up getting hired by a private school for better pay and surroundings. Their biggest complaint was the fact their school admin staff wouldn't step up for their teaching staff esp. with parents whom are barely functional adults themselves.

[@Claunere1]

Amazing. I'm a Brazilian teacher and we experience the same hardships: low pay, lack of respect from children, parents and society, overwork load after school hours, enormous pressure and the unrealistic expectation that we will right all the wrongs of society!

[@annagergely5191]

It seems it's everywhere the same around the world. I quit as a primary teacher last year in Hungary/Europe. We have the same problems. So sad...

[@theboombody]

Must be the internet that caused all these darn problems. Especially the smart phones.

[@juliehaney]

I taught for 21 years in Texas. I quit midyear because my mental and physical health were suffering. It has never been this bad in all my years. Micromanaging administrators, lack of support from parents and kids who are severly lacking in social skills is too much. And let's not forget how many hours teachers put in outside of contract hours. Teachers are treated like numbers. We are replaceable and just a number.

[@hottew_twat3963]

so true same for bus drivers , zero support from parent s and school districts

[@wa210]

According to this interview, Teachers are not replaceable. I went to school here in Texas, and from even back in the 70's teachers severly underpaid. Face it, all the money goes to CEO's, and good for nothing athletes. Our country is so backwards. No wonder the Japanese and Indians blow away America with smart people.

[@YoYo-gt5iq]

My kid's teacher sent home an assignment for me to do, saying my kid will get a zero if not done. I replied that given my kid's age, her work is her own, and I won't be doing this.

[@isaacs9022]

I teach elementary school. Two years ago I had an anxiety attack/breakdown at work. I ended up straight at the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. By the following Monday, I was on Zoloft. I tried that for a week . It was horrible! I stopped taking it and had two horrible days of withdrawals. Through a lot of therapy and meditation I'm better now. I plan on also retiring early. Two more years and I'm out. Sometimes your health and happiness is more important. Education is not what it used to be.

[@Simon-oq6ds]

As an older adult who very much grew up in the 70s and 80s school era, I remember thinking that my country has its priorities wrong when a guy who puts a ball in a basket makes 1000x more $$$ than a teacher does. It comes down to what matters…

[@zqxzqxzqx1]

Exactly. This is one of the reasons I completely disengaged with all pro sports.

[@sirdiealot53]

What “matters” is what people are willing to pay. Most people are willing to pay $ for tickets. Most people will pay their teachers $0.

[@user-lp8fe8nn2j]

​@@sirdiealot53bullshit I paid property taxes last year. Most of those taxes went to education. Ain't my fault you teacher unions stealing all the funds.

[@johngalt3940]

Teachers that teach a million student online should be paid like basketball players that entertain a million people online.

[@jim2376]

"when a guy who puts a ball in a basket makes 1000x more $$$ than a teacher does." Here's a fun fact: the highest paid public employee in most states in the head football coach at the state's major public university. The governor? The state's supreme court chief justice? Not even close!

[@katiez688]

Most teachers are expected to get both a bachelors degree and a masters degree. Why should someone make that financial investment if they won’t ever make more than $65k? I know admin assistants who make 6 figures.

[@anthonyos1438]

My respect and best wishes to these teachers. I’m going on 20 years and it’s been a grind. Kids are more challenging to work with and struggle with basic functional behavior all around.

[@bobbykins]

I phoned mother about her misbehaving child. The parent said to me, "I don't call you when he misbehaves at home, don't call me when he misbehaves at school!" Then, abruptly hung up.

[@tellthetruthministriesinte3438]

I've been blessed to do it all. Tutor children in the community for over 20 years. Teach various subjects on all levels to all grades in public school, private school, and homeschool. Back in 1991 I started as a teacher assistant and so was my wife, we had just gotten married. Even in the schools back then, we saw enough that by 1994, we both had decided to homeschool. We successfully did it for our 4 kids all the way to graduation. The financial sacrifice was well worth it. We are African Americans and were a rare breed. We also started a homeschool academy for other families and their kids went on to enjoy success. The belief that it is the states responsibility to educate your children is killing us. Parents are the key ingredient for the success regardless what your school choice is. And the education system is broken and will never change until there is a united voice of majority with teachers and parents to not accept whats going on anymore. Dont complain about it and stay in it. Take matters into your own hands.

[@tanarich5515]

Amen ❤

[@KidaneHenry]

Well said

[@downtoearth6962]

This sounds more like a social problem. It seems like our political system and some parents don’t value education. The issue is that society is losing their values.

[@flufwix]

They are not respected by parents or politicians. They are forced to fund the classroom supplies. They are extremely underpaid. This all reflects the real lack of value placed on our children.

[@Habitation2023]

Same in Florida, same in Orlando. What other field did you transition to? I want to leave my job of 16 years

[@mrsdsparky]

Parents have become the literal worst! They make excuses for everything and attack teachers for literal anything!! I’ve had parents and students trying to contact me at midnight on Saturdays-obviously I did not respond at that time-and then I received follow up emails at 9am on Sunday (very next day) with “*SECOND NOTICE*” because I did not respond from the night before yet…

[@garytorresani8846]

My brothers know that one. As HS coaches, they would have parents sign rules that they would never contact them about giving their kid more minutes etc. they would call at all hours, curse at them. My brothers would stop answering the phone. One went to the college level and retired out. One still coaches girls HS softballl, won the state championship two out of three years. The parents know that if they bothered him, the kid would be on the bench. He rarely had to do that and rarely get hassled by parents. He let the parents know it was competitive sports and the kid will get the playing time they deserve based on if they follow direction and work hard. He loves the girls and they know it, creates a team, supportive atmosphere for the kids, stresses education and they thrive in it. Most of them have gone onto college athletics. Not all coaches or teachers at the HS or elementary level have a positive experience with the parents. I have a dear friend who taught 3rd grade for years. The district told her they didn’t want the kids or for the teachers to wear masks during Covid. She said she was horrified, didn’t want to support the possibility of the kids or she herself getting the virus so she quit. All of this pressure from anti vaxxers parents. How dumb can you be. She has yet to come back to teaching.

[@reginacameron3011]

oh hell no somebody would get cussed out calling about their bad ass kids

[@mariec3527]

Easy fix would be : PAY THEM BETTER ! And let them punish these kids because kids are insane now a days And please give them help ! They need help something needs to change before teachers completely are gone

[@rememberableoccassions9079]

You are sooooo right. If you are good, they want you to do more. I had to leave for the reasons they mention.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

My mother was a teacher she told us of a teen bringing a gun into the classroom and the administration wouldn’t suspend the teen because they hadn’t threatened anyone with it. She told me of all the disrespectful students who didn’t want to be in school and would just walk out of class. Students who wouldn’t hand in one assignment all year and their parent would threaten my mother after she failed their child. My mother taught schools in the 50s and 60s and retired in the 70s.

[@dixiehouchen2161]

After 24 years as a Jr High/High School Science teacher (in Mississippi), I retired(at the end of the 21/22 school year) because of my health. I love my kids and I know I made a difference but the stress was killing me. I know exactly what those teachers are saying.