When Is It Time: Choosing To Leave The Classroom Behind
As a teacher who feels they were born to teach. The honor of becoming a teacher and teaching the next generation can be the most rewarding experience ever. However, the mass exodus of teachers leaving the profession has made many people sit up and take notice. There are teachers at this very moment trying to make the decision if they are going to stay or go. While there are others who will be packing up their classroom at the end of the school year. Stick around to learn more about leaving the classroom behind.
1. Teacher Why
Who would have thought that leaving the classroom would become a thing. For many of you becoming a teacher was a dream that you have had since childhood. You may have been that kid who begin teaching your childhood friends playing school or for others you may have come from a family of teachers. Whatever path you started with your ultimate goal was for you was to become a teacher. You were born to teach. And when you made it; surrounded by the four walls of your very own classroom. You had arrived. Having a classroom of your very own meant, you finally could transform that space into a classroom that would inspire and impact the next generation. You knew that there would be some obstacles or challenges you may face, but you were up to it.
2. Teacher Reality
But the reality of being in the classroom has made it hard for some teachers to want to stay in the classroom. Some teachers are making the decision to walk away from teaching early in their careers while others who have been at it for years are leaving or retiring from the profession earlier than expected. Let’s face it everyone knows teachers are not in the profession for the money. But when you do not make enough money to live off of or have to make ends meet by taking on a second job or a side hustle; it can make you question your decision to become a teacher especially when the side hustle may be paying more than your teaching salary. Or how about when you have to go strike just to fight for money that you have more than earned as a teacher. Everyone knows a lot of teachers go out of their pocket to make sure their classroom and their students have what they need2
3. Teacher Value
So, it is no surprise that teachers are leaving the profession. It is an honor to be a teacher. Preparing the next generation for the future is important work. But let’s face it teachers who are leaving often may not feel valued. They may not feel valued when they are asked to do more with less. They may not feel valued when behaviors in the classroom do not allow for them to teach. They may not feel valued when they are not supported by those in charge. And they may not feel valued when they cannot even make a living wage. While some teachers may be leaving the classroom, it does not mean that they are leaving the profession completely behind but choosing to move into other areas where their skills and talents are appreciated more.
Final Thoughts
Teaching is an honorable profession. Teaching the next generation of students is important work. The reality of being in the classroom has made it hard for some teachers to want to stay in the classroom. Teachers are making the decision to walk away from teaching early in their careers and others who have been at it for years are leaving or retiring from the profession earlier than expected. Teachers who are leaving often may not feel valued. Teachers may be choosing to move into other areas where their skills and talents are appreciated more. What will the future of teaching look like when there is already a shortage of across all areas. We will just have to save that conversation for another day.
Tips To Try:
· Reconnect with your why and take time to reflect on why you became a teacher in the first place. Write down what originally inspired you, what still brings you joy (students, creativity, impact), and compare that to what is currently draining you.
· 2. Do a reality check on your needs and get clear on your non-negotiables. Are you constantly overworked and is your work-life balance manageable?
· 3. Evaluate where you feel valued and reflect honestly. Do you feel supported by administration? Are student behaviors preventing you from teaching effectively or do you feel respected and appreciated? If the answer is consistently “no,” consider environments where your skills are recognized?
