Tags: Why Do Teachers Quit
One of the most popular search queries that has sent people to my blog lately has been “why do teachers quit?” Doing a quick search of my site tells me that I have a number of articles that reference this idea, but have not yet explored exactly why it is that many teachers choose to quit teaching. This weekend, I will write two articles on that very topic. Today, we’ll consider the question Why Do Teachers Quit? and explore some valid reasons they do so. Yesterday, we considered the same question and explored some of the invalid reasons for quitting. Next weekend, we will consider How Do We Keep Teachers From Quitting? which should be a great follow-up.At the outset, I would like to ask for as much audience participation as possible. This is a key issue that I think all educators should approach with great passion. You who are reading this — YES YOU — have thoughts on the issue. Share them. Just leave a comment below and let this be a conversation among professionals. With that out of the way, here we go.Why Do Teachers Quit Teaching?
Now some of you will consider this sacrilegious for me to say that there are circumstances when it is acceptable to quit teaching. But that is not what I am saying. I am saying that there are circumstances where leaving the teaching profession is the best course of action. I think everyone should be lifelong teachers, whether they are employed as such or not. When I wrote Finding Excellent Educators to Emulate, I made it very clear that some of the best educators are not employed in school districts. Most successful nonfiction authors are teachers at heart, as are most successful pastors, coaches, church choir conductors, politicians, and game show hosts. I mean, teachers are everywhere, as well they should be.
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For another look at quitting teaching, see my article 9 Reasons To Quit Teaching (And 10 Reasons To Stick).
One of the most popular search queries that has sent people to my blog lately has been “why do teachers quit?” Doing a quick search of my site tells me that I have a number of articles that reference this idea, but have not yet explored exactly why it is that many teachers choose to quit teaching. This weekend, I will write two articles on that very topic. Today, we’ll consider the question Why Do Teachers Quit? and explore some valid reasons they do so. Yesterday, we considered the same question and explored some of the invalid reasons for quitting. Next weekend, we will consider How Do We Keep Teachers From Quitting? which should be a great follow-up.At the outset, I would like to ask for as much audience participation as possible. This is a key issue that I think all educators should approach with great passion. You who are reading this — YES YOU — have thoughts on the issue. Share them. Just leave a comment below and let this be a conversation among professionals. With that out of the way, here we go.Why Do Teachers Quit Teaching?
Now some of you will consider this sacrilegious for me to say that there are circumstances when it is acceptable to quit teaching. But that is not what I am saying. I am saying that there are circumstances where leaving the teaching profession is the best course of action. I think everyone should be lifelong teachers, whether they are employed as such or not. When I wrote Finding Excellent Educators to Emulate, I made it very clear that some of the best educators are not employed in school districts. Most successful nonfiction authors are teachers at heart, as are most successful pastors, coaches, church choir conductors, politicians, and game show hosts. I mean, teachers are everywhere, as well they should be.
When should I quit teaching? (Valid reasons to quit teaching)
- Pregnancy/children
This, of course, does not mean that if you are pregnant or have children, you MUST get out of the teaching business. But if your heart is there, then by all means, do it as quickly as is financially possible for you. Once kids have grown up, they have grown up. If we miss out on childhood, we miss out on it. This is an issue of priorities here. Every person has a different set of priorities and ranks them differently also. I think if this is where your heart is, it is perfectly acceptable to leave the teaching population. Be a teach inside your own home! - You become an administrator
Some would argue that teachers should NEVER become administrators, because administrators are the enemy. Others would argue that administrators should never stop teaching. I interviewed at a school once where the superintendent came in from mowing the football field to meet m, and then he went back. Both he and the principal taught classes because they didn’t want to get out of touch. In smaller districts, that’s fine, but as districts grow, administrators really need to focus on the administrative tasks at hand. If this is your goal, and it works out for you, then go for it. Be the best, most teacher-centered administrator you can possibly be! - Health Concerns
Nobody will say that you have given up if you quit teaching because of either disability, stress, or disease. This is often a temporary change, but sometimes it becomes permanent. Either way, it is definitely a valid reason to quit teaching. - You’re not cut out to be a teacher
These are those people who enter the teaching profession and think it will somehow be different than it is. These are the people who complain about low pay and low credit being given to them. This is one of the biggest causes of complaints. We’ve all seen those people who are teaching, but really seem out of place and don’t seem to belong. That’s because they don’t belong there! This is not to be rude, but some people really are out of place when educating children. This happens often with coaches who enter the business so that they can make a name for themselves or music teachers who want to conduct a professional symphony. I know countless music majors who major in education as a “fall back” in case their performing dreams don’t flesh out. These people are prime candidates for a valid reason to drop out of teaching! The education of children is too important to leave to people who don’t want to do it. - You’re no longer cut out to be a teacher
As far as those who are no longer cut out for teaching, I honestly think many teachers allow the promise of full retirement benefits to keep them from quitting when they should. Some people are so in love with teaching that they continue teaching many years after they could easily retire. Now, I know I am stepping on toes here, but if I’m stepping on your toes, maybe it’s because we’re dancing too close! These people love teaching, but they don’t necessarily love being a teacher any longer. They love teaching children, but they don’t like teaching classes of children. It’s hard to admit defeat, and sometimes that is what this feels like. To me, this is the saddest of all reasons to quit teaching, usually because the reason is so obvious to most other people, but these people continue teaching. If you cannot wake up most mornings and eagerly look forward to going to work, then perhaps you should seriously consider either taking a break, or calling it quits entirely.
Next weekend, we look the question How Do We Keep Teachers From Quitting?
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Comments
Bloggrrl writes:
I think we should do away with TRS. I have worked with too many people who are literally counting the days, even though there may be three years worth of them. My colleague, Mr. Sir, decided to teach one more year because it gets him $350 more a month for the rest of his life. Neither he nor I think he should be there.
Joe writes:
I love your article. As far as the heading of “You aren’t cut out to be a teacher,” it spells me to a T. I went through college never thinking about changing my major from music education, despite the fact I hated my instructional classes, did a lousy job in student teaching, and was not offered a contract after only teaching 5 months in a Title I Elementary School where they had four music teachers in three years. A guy with my pedegree and talent, I thought, would be a shoe-in. Needless to say, I’m stressed out, I don’t enjoy it, and have squelched any notion I will be some amazing choral director I thought I could have been in high school. The kids hate me, the staff thinks I’m an egomaniac and dillusional. This was my first, and LAST year of teaching. And I have a lot of respect for you educators. My mom’s a twice-winning teacher of the year that goes into work at 6:30 and doesn’t leave ’till 7:00 or 8:00 at night. I just don’t have the commitment, don’t have the passion and (after dealing with a string of behavior problems) don’t have the patience to teach. Best of luck. Now just time to find out what you can do with a master’s degree in music ed. “Would you like fries with that?” Why didn’t I take communication….?
Author Comment
Joel writes:
Joe:
I would consider trying another year or two in another district. Get a change of venue. Find great teachers who will work with you. Give it another go around. You don’t sound to me like someone who isn’t cut out for teaching as much as someone who isn’t cut out for your current job.
Spend some time reading through the archives here. Ask questions. You can IM me or contact me any number of ways on the Contact page. You say she is a great teacher, have you talked with your mom about the situation?
Jackie writes:
I am up past my usual time and I just decided to go on the web. I came across this. I have been teaching for seventeen years. Maybe you can help. Every morning I dread the thought of going to my job. This has been the worst year ever. I don’t have the desire to ever teach another child. Last year a child brought a knife to school-told his friends he was going to kill me. This year I seem to have the class from hell. I love to teach-but not children any longer. I am sitting here practically in tears bbecause I feel as though I am about to have a nervous breakdown from the stress of disruptive children and non supportive parents. I believe that I have nothing else to give. I believe that this is my last year, I don’t care about the money. I think it is unhealthy for me and for the children. I try to give it my all, but I am so discouraged until there are days I have nothing to give my own family. I am bitter and disgruntle by the time I make it home. Today was another rough day. I have rewarded, discipline, encouraged, ask for parental support, administrative support (”All I can tell you, hon, is I don’t know” response). I feel like I should leave the field because I have nothing left to give- I have more bad days than good days. I think that summer, weekends, holidays are no long worth my staying. I don’t mean to sound like a selfish teacher. I do my job-it’s just a fight every single day. I don’t sleep on the job, nor play around-I am accountable to someone else other than my principal. I know how to do the job, and I do it well. I think that since my heart is so far away-it is time to leave…
Author Comment
Joel writes:
Jackie: Wow. You have clearly tried a lot of things. The problem doesn’t seem to be with you, as much as with your fit in the current school.
My first recommendation would be to move to a different district (easy for me to say as an unmarried man with no children). Perhaps in the same community, but a different actual school.
As I read your comment, I can sense that you love teaching. At least you love the concept of being a teacher. I honestly think it’s just a bad fit for you now.
I always spend the summer planning how I’ll do things different and am able to attach the new year with a different mindset. Basically reinventing myself each school year in one way or the other. In fact, I made a lot of changes this year as a result of having my blog and having the outlet for introspection. I’d write something, read it and realize how stupid I sounded. Then I’d delete it, reevaluate my actions, and start over.
If you can’t stand the thought of teaching, maybe it’s a time for a break…or an entirely new career. There’s plenty of road ahead of you. Most millionaires don’t make their first million until they are in their 60s or 70s. If you change careers and find that your heart yearns to teach, then go back to teaching.
Of course, teaching doesn’t always have to come in the form of formal education. With as heavily as schools focus on testing these days, there is high demand for qualified tutors. You could set up a math tutoring service somehow (possibly even through your current school system) and get the teachers to refer their students to you. You could find that you end up making more money and sleeping better at nights with that route.
These are just as few suggestions. I’m sure the readers will come in and send you tons of more ideas, encouragements, and suggestions.
Stengel99 writes:
For Jackie:
As much as I would like to paint a rosy picture and tell you everything is going to be alright, the truth is that may be unrealistic and improbable. Everything may not get better next year.
Teaching may not be right for you (in a school setting, as you say). I’ve certainly met teachers who had no business being in this profession, and maybe you’re a well-meaning person who fits into that category. Teaching is not for everyone.
I went through a dark time in my career which may have been similar to yours, but admittedly not as intense or life-threatening. Talking with my wife and some colleagues helped me to realize that although there were a handful of kids who really bothered me, the majority were either tolerable or enjoyable to teach. Might this be the case for you?
Another question to consider: Are you teaching the subject(s) and grade levels which are best for you? If you are teaching upper grades, consider elementary; those students tend to be easier to redirect onto the right path in life. If you are teaching elementary, consider high school where you may be able to specialize in a subject you are excited about.
A final thought: Although we have ambitions of saving the world with our teaching, we can’t make up for every failure of the school system, of bad parenting, and of disrespectful students. Teachers are often given unrealistic expectations and insufficient resources, and sometimes it is in fact impossible to accomplish all our goals. At some point, we have to shake the dust off our feet, bandage our wounds, go home, put the day behind us, and enjoy our personal lives, knowing we did our part.
MissD writes:
Wow. Again, I’m so glad I found your website. I feel better. I still want to teach. I love music. It just seems like there has to be some better advice for taking over someone’s program. It can be really super tough. Please give any advice you can.
http://www.ChoirTeacherBlues.blogspot.com
Author Comment
Joel writes:
@MissD - The best advice I can give you for taking over someone else’s program is to be patient. Any time you come in as a new director, you will have to contend with but the person before you was so much better!
Even if they were terrible and the ensemble received straight 5s at contest, they were still better. Why? People don’t like change. Undoubtedly you do things differently than they are used to. This applies to how the administrators and parents deal with you as well.
I think you will find that your second year in a district is much easier than the first. Partly because you know the system a little better. Partly because you are more comfortable teaching. Partly because the kids have begun to get used to the way you operate. Partly because you know what you totally screwed up last year and at least come at it the second year with an idea of how to fix one or two of those mistakes.
With time, you will learn to choose your battles and know which ones are essential and which ones can slip by this time. On the essentials, do not back down. For instance, when kids argue with you. Hang in there!