Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Teachers Explain Why They Left or Plan to Leave Due to Lack of Respect
Recently, a viral TikTok featured a retired teacher explaining why she left the profession after 24 years. The main reason? Parents. Following this, other former teachers in the BuzzFeed Community shared their own stories of why they left teaching, offering some shocking and eye-opening insights into the education system. Here are some of their experiences:
One teacher retired after 23 years. While teaching second grade, she noticed students focused more on making TikToks and scrolling Instagram rather than learning. Some parents even FaceTimed their kids during lessons. Teaching became brutal and exhausting.
—Thomas, 54, Colorado
Goodboy Picture Company / Getty Images
Another teacher with 34 years of experience in both general and special education left after COVID-19. She felt that teaching was no longer respected and described the profession as a battlefield without support, respect, or recognition.
One teacher left after being assaulted by a student and almost dying from it. The administration blamed her, and during meetings, the child’s parents called her a racist for feeling unsafe. Despite begging for the student to be removed, her request was denied. She felt teachers were unprotected and always blamed.
—dogmomfurever
Sashafoxwalters / Getty Images
Another educator left when post-secondary institutions adopted a corporate image, focusing more on profit than education. It became stressful, and he decided it was time to move on.
A teacher who retired eight years ago after 32 years of teaching noticed a shift in parents. Some parents wanted to intimidate teachers to get their way, while others didn’t care about education. The situation kept worsening.
—robinmcohen
Skynesher / Getty Images
Another teacher, who got her credential in 1982, retired in 2021. She saw the transition from early computer classrooms to full Chromebook instruction and daily battles over cell phones. Administrative changes and fluctuating curriculum standards were major factors in her decision to retire.
—cincoflex1
Victoria Pearson / Getty Images
Another teacher, who began teaching at 48 and retired at 70, noticed that many parents didn’t engage until report card time, despite numerous calls and letters of concern.
One teacher who recently retired after 24 years suffered a nervous breakdown due to inadequate funding, larger class sizes, and lack of supplies. Decisions were being made by those not in the classroom. This, coupled with her committee work and union involvement, led to burnout and an eventual breakdown.
When I went to the hospital in crisis, I finally saw how impossible the responsibility is. As a special area teacher, I covered two schools and had 30 separate classes, with a total of 700 kids aged 4-11 every week. Even the medical staff was stunned and said it wasn’t a surprise that I’d finally collapsed. Now, I’m out. I’m selling my house and moving in with my daughter since I’m still too young for Medicare and will have to pay out of pocket for medical. I’m unsure when I’ll be able to hold any job again. My nerves are shot, and I have daily panic attacks. I’m a casualty of caring too much and unsure what comes next.
—Anonymous
Visual Vic / Getty Images
A kindergarten teacher retired after one student hit her over the head with a metal chair part. She lost the use of her arm for over a month, and the principal told her to work harder to make the student like her.
Another teacher, set to retire in 2025 after 40 years, felt the major issue was the lack of respect. Parents should teach respect at home, which should then be reinforced at school. Despite the challenges, she made lifelong friends and had a fulfilling career.
—radmeat74
Skynesher / Getty Images
A retired middle school teacher from Northern California described teaching in a community with entitled parents and students. She experienced unsupportive administrators who threw staff under the bus. She retired after 40 years.
Another educator left after 20 years, finding her primary job had shifted to behavior management. Poor student behavior led her to baby-proof her high school physics lab. Since retiring, her mental health has improved.
Another teacher left after 16 years, feeling education was not valued in the U.S. She noted that if education were valued, school budgets wouldn’t be slashed, and colleges wouldn’t operate like businesses.
—sassywolf77
The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images
Another teacher left after 15 years. Despite loving her job, the behavior of 80% of the parents was combative and rude, outweighing her love for teaching and the $60k salary. She always wanted a camera in her classroom so parents could see their kids’ behavior.
One educator retired after 29 years due to fear instilled by politicians. Teachers are afraid of being too welcoming or using inclusive language for fear of retribution from parents.
—Michele, 43, Ohio
ilkercelik / Getty Images
An educator from California noted that teachers now have to teach values such as integrity, respect, and kindness, which were once taught at home. Low enrollment and increased class sizes prioritize money over students, leading to a shortage of new teachers.
Lastly, another teacher left after 12 years, finding the job mentally exhausting. She had a supportive admin team but found the constant need to always be “on” unsustainable. She hopes people understand the dire state of education and take steps to fix it.
—Anonymous
Maskot / Getty Images/Maskot
Teachers are indeed stronger than Navy SEALS, facing incredible challenges daily. What do you think has changed the most about education and students? Let us know in the comments.
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Source: BuzzFeed Community
