Let me start off by saying, typically, teachers do not leave the classroom because of students, budget cuts, or salary. Although they all play an important role, these factors are not the key essential elements in which why one becomes a teacher. Many people enter the profession of teaching because they have a genuine love for humanity. Some people start their teaching journey to have a positive impact on students and young people. And there are some that simply want to share their gift and love for knowledge.
You see, there are certain types of personality traits that many teachers share. One of the main traits that I have witnesses that most of my former colleagues possess is selflessness. So many of my colleagues will put heir students and their needs even before themselves. Many of them work tirelessly to provide instruction and guidance to their students. Many of them become positive, supportive adults in their students’ lives that sometimes lasts a lifetime. Teachers are a special type of special. So, when we decide to leave the classroom, usually, it has nothing to do with teaching.
ADMINISTRATION
Teachers rarely leave the classroom for simple things. However, the support of the administration is not something that is so simple. Once, I saw a quote that stated, “Teachers leave principals not positions.” And if this ain’t the truth. Principals and other supporting staff of the administration team in many causes are the primary cause why teachers are leaving the classroom. From the lack of support to micromanaging are the key reasons teachers decide to leave teaching.
BUREACRACY
Nobody wants to play this game, especially not teachers. Teachers have enough responsibility on their plate without factoring in bureaucracy. Up in teacher-land there are government officials that are creating policy that is impact teaching without every consulting professionals on the front line. Many of the policies that they put in place is outlandish. Yet, teachers are bound to fall in line with new legislation.
GOVERNING BOARD
What I have learned is school governing boards and administration usually are in a committed relationship with each other. What I mean is that they are interlocked, hand in hand. Rarely have I witnessed a school governing board in conflict with the admin team on any campus and vice versa.
SOCIETY
Yeah, I said it. If you are reading this blog and you are not doing anything to help support education, schools, and teachers in your area, you may be a part of the problem. I didn’t want to specifically state parents are the problem, rather society as a whole. Society has placed unrealistic expectations on teachers. They have this expectation that teachers are responsible to save the world. And if not the world at least their kid. The fortunate part to this is I really believe that most teachers would. However, given the current culture of disrespect and disregard to teachers, many of them have decided it is better to simply leave.
RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Unless you have been a teacher, you wouldn’t understand the amount of responsibility that is placed on educators. I recall sitting in staff meetings awaiting the next protocol to implement. When is enough, enough? For starters, the average teacher is responsible for around 150 students. They are responsible not only for their academic growth, but for development of them as human beings. And as we know, many of our students require special support and accommodations to ensure equity in learning. As teachers, we sign up for this. It is all the other stuff, rules, duty, and additional responsibilities that pushes teachers out the classroom and into other professions.
Unfortunately, there is an exodus of great teachers that have made to the decision to leave the classroom. The reasons will vary from teacher to teacher.
Let’s talk about it. Why do you think teachers are leaving the classroom?
