Why I Quit Teaching Elementary School in 2021

[@jb8517]

**Abusive relationship explains it perfectly 👌🏼

[@Sirach144]

They need to bring back discipline in the school. Stop with this in school suspension crap and bring out of school suspension back again. Because if the parents have to deal with the repercussions of their kids behavior it'll get corrected a lot faster than if you just send them to school still.

[@Nan-59]

Behavior is exactly the issue my daughter has teaching middle school. The students are horrendous! She's called every name in the book. Since when did this behavior become acceptable?

[@adelita34]

I hear ya on that. There for sure need to be consequences for behavior. I don’t know what they would look like in the world we teach in today.

[@Find-Your-Bliss-]

Corporal punishment means that poor, black and brown kids are beaten & white kids are given a pass. Not any kind of solution. Also, studies have proven that paddling/shipping’s do not decrease negative behaviors, but rather increase rage and acting out. Hitting kids is not the answer

[@DropsOfIndigo]

@@Find-Your-Bliss- Discipline doesn't have to mean corporal punishment. Just consequences for actions. From what I understand listening to teacher friends, it's the lack of consequences at school and home that are causing the rise in behavioural issues.

[@arvayahrozier4402]

I think this might be what got me fired from my first teaching job. I actually disciplined my students and held them to a higher standard. I even got in trouble at one point for yelling at my students when they misbehaved. I know that yelling isn't always the way to go, obviously, but I actually worked on yelling less and I still got fired. They never told me why they fired me but I am pretty sure that this is why. I was even told that the students I was teaching were all very spoiled and were probably used to getting away with everything. When I was in school, teachers would yell at us all the time and nothing ever happened. Even one of my high school teacher said that a teacher would have to do something absolutely insane to get fired. For context I graduated from high school in 2017, which was not that long ago. Schools have gotten soft and are no longer holding students accountable for their actions or are giving them minimal punishments. One of my past students even told me that she and her friends made valentines candy bracelets for each other while in detention. That doesn't sound like punishment. What's worse is that I had students calling me and emailing me asking why I was leaving the school and saying that they would miss me. Teaching was ruined for me and made me feel used when they got rid of me.

[@AdrianaGonzalez-zq6tx]

Good point of being in the service industry because we like helping others but the negative feedback seems to outlay the positive feedback. It's always the feedback... I know I'm doing my job but Thank You goes a long way... It's important to voice Thank Yous. I try to remember this everywhere I go now.

[@adelita34]

Great point Adriana. A thank you does go a long way.

[@barbaras676]

I retired from teaching in 2021, moved and am now tutoring in classrooms as a contract tutor. After 26 years of teaching and working as an out-of-classroom coordinator I’d had enough and just couldn’t make myself so it any longer. I wrapped up my teaching days in a empty classroom, with about 10% of our population on site and the rest voluntarily staying home. I wanted to do a few more years but am now happier than I ever was as I work with groups of 1-4 students in a classroom. No more lesson planning, grading, test prep, meetings, reviews or admin visits. Just an opportunity to relieve the classroom teacher by working with the neediest kids. So rewarding!!

[@aknudsen93]

Thanks for sharing your story. Yes, in so many schools the relationship between admin and teachers is abusive. I am looking to get out of teaching completely. I'm burnt out and just don't want to do it anymore. Right now I'm just waiting to get to Christmas Break.

[@adelita34]

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with that. I’ve been there too. Living break to break. Now’s a good time to start making a plan. Any dreams for what you’d like to do instead?

[@Gotoh1YuchiLover001]

Thank you for your testimony! Totally want to resign next year! I’m also burned out! I’m going to apply to different ESL companies online. I need to take care of myself again.

[@adelita34]

@@Gotoh1YuchiLover001 I totally feel you. I had to start tutoring to get my love for teaching back. I’d recommend you start tutoring on the side to give you a teaching outlet you enjoy.

[@Gotoh1YuchiLover001]

@@adelita34 Thank you!:)

[@adelita34]

@@Gotoh1YuchiLover001 🥰

[@Autismteenandfam]

I quit teaching and I'm happier

[@soniateach]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! You inspire me, Adelle! ❤️

[@adelita34]

Thank you for encouraging me to share, Sonia. Your journey inspires mine. 💜

[@lordrazear]

I am currently finishing up special education degree and have no intention of using it in the US instead I will be moving to Sweden to teach.

[@Nan-59]

That's a huge move! Sounds like a fabulous plan!

[@adelita34]

Great idea. Wishing you the best.

[@stormchaser419]

Quit now! Join the great teacher resignation. I left last week after 12 years. Most soul destroying job ever.

[@barbaras676]

I agree. Nothing we teachers do it good enough. There’s always more and more pressure put on us to increase test scores, plan together and then stick to the plan no matter what! Kids don’t understand? Oh, well. Gotta move on. It’s so soul-sucking🙁

[@adigarg3304]

Have some respect for teachers. It is NOT a soul destroying job. It is by far the most rewarding job ever. I take pride in what I do. It's people like yall who contribute to teachers leaving

[@adelita34]

Have you ever thought about leaving teaching? I thought about it for YEARS before I actually did it.

[@saywhat3654]

Yes! I'm at this stage now. I am two years out from early retirement, so it's a conflicting time for me.

[@adelita34]

@@saywhat3654 When I started tutoring on the side it really helped me. I got my joy back. I ultimately quit because of so many factors. I’d suggest starting to tutor if you can. Get yourself some time with kids that you don’t have to lorded over by the higher ups.

[@saywhat3654]

@Adelle Southall Thank you for your reply. Tutoring is exactly the way I want to go, but I'm fearful to step out there. Any words of advice would be appreciated!

[@adelita34]

@@saywhat3654 let people know that you want to start tutoring. You will find someone who wants to work with you.

[@Nan-59]

Then you have to purchase your own medical insurance and of course that's not cheap. Although, a person's mental health is worth $1 million but you know... who has $1 million really. 🥺

[@annmitchell_onlinereadingtutor]

Awesome job Adelle, thank you for sharing!

[@adelletutors]

Thank you Ann!

[@hailmichelle0..0]

I am having a hard time figuring out if teaching is actually what I want to do. I have a math major and an Ed studies minor so I’m thinking of just dropping the minor but ahhh life is so intimidating!! I remember cleaning our desks with shaving cream in your classroom and now I’m here! This past week I started having a quarter life crisis, but I’ve already put myself on the college path for teaching, so any advice?

[@adelita34]

Girl! You can totally do it! It’s in no way an easy job. But you have the strength and passion to make it work. I remember you and Olivia making me little aluminum foil animals from your lunch. LOL That was hands down one of my favorite classes. Shhhhh. Don’t tell the others. Let’s chat sometime about it. It’s important to listen all your thoughts AND. know at the end of the day, life never offers the most perfect options. You just take the road that you believe to be the best for who you are now and who you hope to be. ❤️

[@chamatuition]

Great video Adelle. Very courageous! 💪🏾

[@adelita34]

Thank you so much!

[@2listening1]

That really does sound like a dream job! I wish you the greatest of luck and happiness! 🙂🌻🌞👍

[@adelita34]

Thank you so much! I’ve loved it. I get to meet the kids needs exactly where they are and help them grow at their own speed.

[@kimturner1963]

Teaching in Thailand is better! I switched countries and like it much better here!

[@kevtherev8194]

you should say more DETAILS about problems with administration and curriculum, etc

[@adelita34]

I totally hear you on that one. I was lucky to not have problems with my current administration. They were the most supportive I’ve ever had. I did however have TONS of issues with the district at large. It’s something I’ll consider for another video. It didn’t seem to fit my thought for this one.

[@AkmalAkbarov]

That's not business. It is being-self employed. You are paid only when you have these 4 students. When you don't have them, you don't have the money coming in as well. What about your annual paid holidays? Who pays them?

[@nataliemcelwee9416]

What elementary school did you quit

[@andrewlouisromero4035]

I would like to start as Tutor, can you please give me more tips?

[@k.c1126]

Are there any videos where teachers are saying why I stayed in teaching??? smh

[@conservativeeducator3696]

Retired 12/2021, after 27 years…. At only 55, it was the GREATEST choice I’ve made! I now drive for Uber and Lyft, without all of the BS. I thought I would die in my classroom…

[@karolinacastro7994]

I miss You as My ESOL teacher from: yessi

[@adelita34]

Hey there! I miss you too. I hope you are doing well.

[@traceywhite8137]

YAY Adelle! 👏🏾

[@adelita34]

Hey Tracey! Thank you for the support.