Comments on: Invalid Reasons Teachers Quit http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Lockee LaFroyhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-7035 Lockee LaFroy Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:17:22 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-7035 "Had to laugh when i read this list of invalid reasons to quit teaching" You got it right Adam. There are no - valid or invalid - reasons, none. Just a decision that an individual makes about their own life, period. "Had to laugh when i read this list of invalid reasons to quit teaching"

You got it right Adam. There are no – valid or invalid – reasons, none. Just a decision that an individual makes about their own life, period.

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]]> By: Adamhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-7014 Adam Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:33:39 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-7014 'Had to laugh when i read this list of invalid reasons to quit teaching. It sounds as if it had been written by our state and local boards of education, to explain why the declining quality of education really is all, 100%, the TEACHERS' fault, and no one else's. It nothing at all to do with skewed precepts of what education should be, poor parental support, administrative molly-coddling and political correctness, and a myriad of other imperfections and wrongs that badly need correcting. Here's the first thing that needs correcting: there is no such thing as a wrong, bad or invalid reason to step away from being an educator. If a person decides it's not his/her gig--for whatever reason--that's valid. Period. No one else is reqired to say "...that's okay..I AGREE with you!" Peddle it elsewhere, brother. ‘Had to laugh when i read this list of invalid reasons to quit teaching. It sounds as if it had been written by our state and local boards of education, to explain why the declining quality of education really is all, 100%, the TEACHERS’ fault, and no one else’s. It nothing at all to do with skewed precepts of what education should be, poor parental support, administrative molly-coddling and political correctness, and a myriad of other imperfections and wrongs that badly need correcting. Here’s the first thing that needs correcting: there is no such thing as a wrong, bad or invalid reason to step away from being an educator. If a person decides it’s not his/her gig–for whatever reason–that’s valid. Period. No one else is reqired to say "…that’s okay..I AGREE with you!" Peddle it elsewhere, brother.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-6331 Joel Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:13:08 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-6331 I miss the part where I said that teaching doesn't require time or skill. Care to enlighten us where you disagreement is rather than just resorting to name-calling? I miss the part where I said that teaching doesn't require time or skill. Care to enlighten us where you disagreement is rather than just resorting to name-calling?

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]]> By: joenotherehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-6330 joenothere Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:26:05 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-6330 Your are a jack ass and know nothing about teaching for real. Teaching for real requires time and skill. Your are a jack ass and know nothing about teaching for real. Teaching for real requires time and skill.

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]]> By: Janellehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-6078 Janelle Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:27:42 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-6078 I have to agree with you about English and History teachers, although even with these subjects you can have a little break by giving students the chance to read, write and answer questions. I taught 5 levels of French and although I like to think of myself as extremely organized in every way, the 5 preps make for a long day of nonstop teaching, talking, and enthusiastic participation. As a French teacher, I also can't just open a text book and tell the students to read and answer questions for 5 or 10 minutes so I can prepapre for the next activity or class because, well, it's a foreign language and French 1 and 2 can hardly read it let alone write it. Like Band, there is no down time as a language teacher while in the classroom. However, like you mentioned, band directors and orchestra directors are rarely taking work home with them. When I hear other teachers who teach only 2 or 3 preps, complain about all the work they have to do (and they don't even sponsor the clubs that go along with their subject matter), I get pretty frustrated that they're getting the same pay doing half the work I do. I actually quit last year and have been enjoying my time off just being a mom. Will I ever go back? Maybe, but I'll be damned if I teach more than 2 or 3 preps and hold on to my sanity. I have to agree with you about English and History teachers, although even with these subjects you can have a little break by giving students the chance to read, write and answer questions. I taught 5 levels of French and although I like to think of myself as extremely organized in every way, the 5 preps make for a long day of nonstop teaching, talking, and enthusiastic participation. As a French teacher, I also can’t just open a text book and tell the students to read and answer questions for 5 or 10 minutes so I can prepapre for the next activity or class because, well, it’s a foreign language and French 1 and 2 can hardly read it let alone write it. Like Band, there is no down time as a language teacher while in the classroom. However, like you mentioned, band directors and orchestra directors are rarely taking work home with them. When I hear other teachers who teach only 2 or 3 preps, complain about all the work they have to do (and they don’t even sponsor the clubs that go along with their subject matter), I get pretty frustrated that they’re getting the same pay doing half the work I do. I actually quit last year and have been enjoying my time off just being a mom. Will I ever go back? Maybe, but I’ll be damned if I teach more than 2 or 3 preps and hold on to my sanity.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5976 Joel Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:41:24 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5976 I agree. I think there is a misunderstanding. I should have clarified that I'm talking about leaving the profession entirely. Of course if the work environment isn't conducive to solid education and administration doesn't seem to be helpful for you, you should find a different school or district entirely and start again. There are great schools out there, and there are some that are not so great... :) I agree. I think there is a misunderstanding. I should have clarified that I’m talking about leaving the profession entirely. Of course if the work environment isn’t conducive to solid education and administration doesn’t seem to be helpful for you, you should find a different school or district entirely and start again.

There are great schools out there, and there are some that are not so great… :)

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]]> By: Marlenehttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5971 Marlene Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:45:40 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5971 Of all the reasons posted, I disagree with #1 the most. If you work in a school that does not follow due process and allows students to get away with noncompliance in and out of the classroom, then why would you stay. NO amount of passion can make any one stay in any job, if they feel they are verbally, emotionally, and even physically abused by students. The teacher's job is teach, provided good classroom management, and not to be a "parent" to students who refuse to listen. I have a serious problem when administrator cease supporting their students and allow continually, habitual disruptive students to remain in the classroom. I can deal with all the other stuff, but unruly students who refuse to learn, and who keep other from learning and the teacher from teaching are a perfectly valid reason for leaving the classroom. Of all the reasons posted, I disagree with #1 the most. If you work in a school that does not follow due process and allows students to get away with noncompliance in and out of the classroom, then why would you stay. NO amount of passion can make any one stay in any job, if they feel they are verbally, emotionally, and even physically abused by students. The teacher’s job is teach, provided good classroom management, and not to be a “parent” to students who refuse to listen. I have a serious problem when administrator cease supporting their students and allow continually, habitual disruptive students to remain in the classroom. I can deal with all the other stuff, but unruly students who refuse to learn, and who keep other from learning and the teacher from teaching are a perfectly valid reason for leaving the classroom.

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]]> By: Marcy Webbhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5833 Marcy Webb Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:40:19 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5833 Personally, I don\\\'t believe it is up to us to judge why a teacher leaves the profession. I understand that you want to force teachers to think about the reasons. But, ultimately, it\\\'s up to the individual. Just like a teacher cannot save every student, the teaching profession cannot retain every teacher. I actually left teaching, and for reasons with which you would probably disagree, given the litany of reasons you say are invalid reasons for leaving the profession. As you can see, I eventually returned, but leaving was the single best decision I could have made. Personally, I don\\\’t believe it is up to us to judge why a teacher leaves the profession. I understand that you want to force teachers to think about the reasons. But, ultimately, it\\\’s up to the individual. Just like a teacher cannot save every student, the teaching profession cannot retain every teacher.

I actually left teaching, and for reasons with which you would probably disagree, given the litany of reasons you say are invalid reasons for leaving the profession. As you can see, I eventually returned, but leaving was the single best decision I could have made.

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]]> By: Joelhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5678 Joel Sat, 09 May 2009 15:43:20 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5678 Sarah: You sound so hopeless. While I agree that it can get overwhelming, I also don't think that your own personal disorganization is the <i>only</i> reason you're contemplating leaving teaching. If it truly is, then I would implore you to seek out some alternatives. Visit <a href="http://zenhabits.net/" rel="nofollow">Zen Habits</a> and learn how to be more organized. If it's not your only reason, then you owe it to yourself to figure out what other factors are causing you to lose your sanity and frustrate you so much... Sarah:

You sound so hopeless. While I agree that it can get overwhelming, I also don’t think that your own personal disorganization is the only reason you’re contemplating leaving teaching. If it truly is, then I would implore you to seek out some alternatives. Visit Zen Habits and learn how to be more organized.

If it’s not your only reason, then you owe it to yourself to figure out what other factors are causing you to lose your sanity and frustrate you so much…

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]]> By: Sarahhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5642 Sarah Thu, 07 May 2009 18:02:53 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/2007/07/07/why-do-teachers-quit-invalid-reasons/#comment-5642 “I’m unorganized and don’t have a system to handle this much responsibility.”

This is very true of me. I can’t handle it at all, it’s stressing me out, and affecting my health. Yes, it’s “my fault”. But that does not make it an invalid reason to quit. I just want to remain sane, and I’ll blow a fuse if I carry on like this.

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