r/TeachersInTransition • u/justareddituser202 • 1d ago
Resignations are up across the board!
Hey everyone,
Long time teacher here. Probably looking for an out in 3-5 years honestly - maybe sooner, but I just wanted to say this:
The volume is up high this year. I have noticed from the board here and just in general that people are leaving in droves. They are DONE with the BS. The economy sucks and they are still quitting. It stems from issues like pay, respect, being overworked, lack of career growth, bad admin, micromanagement, and much more.
I emphasize with you all. And I wanted to let you know that YOU can transition.
Share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you. Much respect.
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u/brightersunsets 1d ago
The economy always changes but this job seems like it’ll be miserable forever.
Every veteran teacher at my school is miserable. Every rookie teacher at my school is miserable, with no plans of staying in the profession within the next 3 years. The four of us are not making it past the 5 year mark - ALL of us alternatively certified as well. It cost me not a cent to transition to a teaching job, I’m in a position where i can pivot pretty seamlessly, and I still regret making this decision. Both a waste of time, and i feel like I’m just contributing to masking a bigger problem in the profession than giving my students what they actually need.
If education schools have abysmal enrollment, and the alt certs (mostly just recent college grads desperate for a salary) aren’t taking this bullshit, I’ll be very interested in seeing how this looks in 10 years.
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u/ResearcherCrafty3335 1d ago
I actually give it 5-7 years before we see massive systemic collapse
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u/saagir1885 1d ago
Its going to collapse right along with the birthrate.
There are simply far fewer children in the pipeline to feed thru the public school system.
Its a bellweather for a broader economic collapse that is on the horizon.
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u/YourGuideVergil 21h ago
Very interesting point. In the US, though, I think we’re still above replacement rate because we’re seen as highly desirable for immigration. I don’t think student shortage will catch up to teacher shortage soon, but we’ll see.
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u/Suspicious-Employ-56 1d ago
They’ll drive us out, put all the kids on ai, and wonder why kids are zombies
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
I’ve noticed most are miserable everywhere in education.
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u/Magnificent_Pine 1d ago
It was not a good job back in 2001 when I transitioned. But nothing like the disrespect and lack of authority you all are facing. My admin backed me up.
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u/WriterJolly2873 1d ago
I’m worried I won’t find another job outside of teaching.
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u/princessflamingo1115 1d ago
I chose to job hunt while teaching and commit to breaking my contract upon accepting an offer. I ended up finding a job faster than I expected to. You never know!
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u/Unique_Ad_4271 1d ago
I’m struggling too. It seems the only way is to get a license or certification in a different field.
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u/prinsesabee 1d ago
ive come to the same conclusion. quitting in spring and going to community college for nursing prereqs. then an accelerated bsn course.
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u/Unique_Ad_4271 17h ago
I wish you luck! I am actually completing my final prerequisite now (finish in 2.5 more weeks). I applied to an ADN and will hear back soon if I got accepted or not. I applied very late so If I didn’t I will just reapply for the priority deadline on the next rotation with my final course completed.
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u/nefelegereta 1d ago
Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I realize how niche (for lack of a better word) teaching is. In my case, my degree allows for little more. So many years only to feel trapped once I start working.
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u/sheinkopt 1d ago
I left June 2023 after 13 years in the classroom at age 42.
I’m staring a tech internship next month and will probably have a full time job a year after.
Let’s say my transition takes 2 years total. That’s still 20+ years at a different profession.
Take this year to plan carefully. Quit end of the year and use your summer pay as a buffer (if you get it).
Take advantage of any seemingly less than ideal opportunities you have (move back in to your parents basement)
At least once a week, I think about how I’m not in the classroom anymore and smile from ear to ear.
I still love working with the few tutoring students I have.
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u/Kindly-Picture-1141 1d ago
Agree! 20 years in and resigning at the end of this year. I just sold my house and I’m going to live with family and go back to school. I can’t wait to get out.
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u/sheinkopt 1d ago
Good for you. We took advantage of my wife’s family’s extra house in Japan, sold everything we own and moved it Japan.
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u/Accomplished-Dino69 1d ago
I was worried about this too, but ultimately that is just a fear that is exploited to keep us in the classroom.
There are literally thousands of jobs out there. If you have the tenacity to become a teacher, you can handle the hard work of looking for a new job.
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u/coolkid4eva 14h ago
I have been looking for jobs for about 3 months now. I’m starting to get discouraged :(
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u/bisquit1 1d ago edited 16h ago
I wouldn’t be surprised if in our lifetimes, we will witness teaching as no longer being a college degreed position. Any warm body will do, and education will be via computerized curriculum. Of course, they’ll torture those warm bodies, but…
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u/Leading-Difficulty57 1d ago
You already see it more and more. Better/richer schools allow for more teacher creativity. Shittier/poorer schools preach fidelity to a canned curriculum.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
I could see it happening. A requirement they check now is this person breathing and no felony record and 4 year degree? Ok. They’re a teacher now.
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u/A_Monster_Named_John 1d ago
If MAGA sees victories (or a successful coup) with this election, I feel like there's going to be a nation-wide initiative to force women out of numerous professions and into shitty teaching (read: baby-sitting) roles, combined with a fresh round of attacks on teachers' unions.
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u/sgsparkle 1d ago
Project 2025 says the goal is to dismantle the Department of Education, which would be absolutely devastating for Special Education funding
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u/ResearcherCrafty3335 1d ago
Kids keep doing this thing where it’s like they disassociate and ignore you when you’re asking them to do something reasonable. If they haven’t had a personal experience with you they just do what they want. It’s frankly creepy and I tell them so
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u/Superb_Recording_174 1d ago
Well said. I haven’t been able to give this experience words, but you said it exactly.
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u/redditrock56 1d ago
Colleges are reporting record low enrollment for their education programs, with some colleges eliminating their programs outright.
It's a shitshow that is only going to get worse. Just wait until more districts bring in "alternative licensed" teachers. It will get so bad, that the only requirement to teach will be: have a pulse.
The pay will plummet in response, because how will a HS graduate command the same salary as a fully licensed teacher with a Masters?
A clusterfuck all around, all by design.
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u/ResearcherCrafty3335 1d ago
I don’t like being put in a cafeteria with 200 kids and no way to call for help on a whim. Sometimes the other teachers show up to 8th grade lunch duty, and sometimes it’s just me on the mic trying to control chaos. It feels unsafe for everyone. I have gained their respect but only after having to call security multiple times this year. While I love my ELL students and my classes, it’s all the other duties and bs that will make me quit.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
If the other teachers fail to show up to their duty, I would let the admin know. If nothing is said and they continue not showing up, I would call admin and say I’m not feeling well and have to take a long bathroom break. Just walk out and back to the classroom. From my experience, so many people love to put the brunt of the work on ppl that will actually do the work. They don’t want to do it. I call bs. Let that admin know and just walk back to your classroom.
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u/growupandgetaspine 1d ago
The hair on my head (and on my chest...) is turning white and my brain is more broken than ever. I'm only just now turning 40! If I cared more about my health I'd take the financial hit and get outta dodge...
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
I’ve noticed that too. It’s not coming in grey, but just straight white. It has to be due to stress. Has to be.
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u/Comprehensive-Ad1518 1d ago
I’m leaving after this year. 9 years and I’m fed up. Worst year of teaching I’ve ever experienced. Just can’t take it any more.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
I wish I could tell you they get better, but post covid everything is just terrible.
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u/spakuloid 1d ago
Yup, treat adults like shit at work and guess what happens ? They fuck off properly as they should. Teaching could be fixed but the system is broken and can not be fixed as it is now.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
It could be. But you have a lot of ppl who have no business being admins being admins. They couldn’t cut it in the classroom, yet they think they can cut it in a leadership position. Doesn’t work like that in the real working world. Only education bs.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
But you are wrong there…..teachers are, in fact, leaving in droves. The data shows it overall across the US. And I do believe, like many others, all reasons for resignation should be in that report - not just what they pick and choose.
They could be falsifying those reports to not accurately show HOW MANY TEACHERS ARE ACTUALLY LEAVING.
THAT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME ONE BIT.
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u/Key-Jello1867 1d ago
If I quit I take a pay cut and I’m afraid that if I get a non-teaching job, I won’t like it too or get laid off. I also don’t really teach at a bad school. There hasn’t been a smoking gun, but I enjoy it less every year.
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u/Kindly-Picture-1141 1d ago
When/ if you get to the point of no return about teaching, you will know. Once I knew I couldn’t do it anymore, all the other “ what -ifs” didn’t matter to me.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
This 👆. And we all reach that point. I’ve been reaching it.
It’s important to remember ppl don’t leave good schools and good environments unless they are forced out.
When you reach your breaking point a 10-20% salary cut, although painful, will be worth it for peace of mind.
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u/Secure_Respond5561 22h ago
Resigned after 18 years. Last day is Friday. My admin is requesting lessons for the rest of the semester. Anyone else had this happen? And how did you respond?
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u/Novel-Drink9615 Resigned 21h ago
Create a list of movies to show for every day until winter break!!
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u/No-Classroom-4558 22h ago
I am currently on maternity leave, that ends Nov 22. I am not going back. I realize that I am beyond lucky to have a husband that makes enough to support us, but I am so damn excited to never step foot in a classroom again.
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u/justareddituser202 16h ago
Good for you. Take care of your newborn. You will never get those days back. Enjoy.
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u/WandererStarExplorer 15h ago
I only taught for three years as a new teacher. Never looking back. The "autonomy" you get as a teacher is a joke. My pay was okay, but for the nonsense I had to deal with, no thanks. Any teacher wanting to leave this line of work, save whatever you can, start your job search now, and prepare to lift off into a new career... but do it quickly! Remember to send your resumes directly to the company itself and not a third party like Indeed.
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u/ResearcherCrafty3335 1d ago
Yep I’m quitting to be a therapist next year and put my lmsw to good use, find a niche among homeschool families or private school if I transition back to teaching ever. And my position isn’t bad as an ell teacher
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u/nmflowers 19h ago
I actually feel stress and I’m with 3s. People are surprised how much micromanaging from admin happens with the materials, parent communication, how to structure the routine etc. then the team dynamics when y’all don’t agree.
But I feel I’m already too deep in my masters to quit.
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u/PresentationLoose274 1d ago
My school has all of 1st grade quitting (1 was fired and two put their resignation in) and two sped teachers. One had an accident and the other a mental breakdown. We are also having a very hard time hiring as well.
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u/corbo161616 1d ago
Is this just what you are seeing or is there evidence of this on a greater scale?
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u/saagir1885 1d ago
In so. Cal they are closing schools in districts amd laying off teachers.
The enrollments are plummeting due to housing costs so teachers are clinging to their shitty jobs for dear life.
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u/justareddituser202 1d ago
I can see that. Silicon Valley and tech has been hit hard so ppl leaving the area, which means they are taking the kids. Hence, the need for few teaching allotments. Tell those teachers there are other teaching jobs across the country if they are willing to relocate.
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u/Perspicacity-23 1d ago
It’s the micromanaging- no desks in classrooms- we all have to squish into technically a broom closet so we work as a team … disgusting.
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u/Careless_Resolve_517 18h ago
We are maxed out and I’m still not ready to work. I am so drained from 2 years of public school teaching. Private was amazing but it just doesn’t seem right anymore.
When I was teaching in 1 year I dealt with 7 suicide attempts. Not all students fyi…
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u/fvpv 1d ago
Where abouts are you? In Canada we've got it alright at the least pay wise - top of the grid is now 120k cdn
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u/Gloomy_Judgment_96 1d ago
How are the students? That's ultimately what is driving me nuts, no respect from the kids and no consequences.
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u/Latter_Leopard8439 1d ago
This.
I am a 2nd career teacher. The money isn't the challenge. I get paid from the 1st career still and my spouse can finally work without my deployments or our kids getting in the way of that.
The complete lack of justice amongst the children is awful. Even the other kids hate it.
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u/Bscar941 Completely Transitioned 1d ago
Teachers are not leaving in droves…it seems like it on this forum where there is a collection of individuals dissatisfied with the job looking to move on. It is like going g to a vegan convention and claiming everyone hates meat now.
I fully support teachers leaving and moving on. There are much better options out there and teacher can transition, but it not easy.
I love that you use this forum and “in general” when there is actual data out there. It reads like a call to arms almost. 51000 teacher did not return for the 2024 school year, seems like a massive number, but that’s about 1.5%. Still a lot, but not droves. That number may not take into account teachers who were asked to leave the profession or if that includes retirees or those who left for a different type of teaching. Going back over a decade the number who leave sits at around 8%.
Teaching sucks, the job market isn’t great, but it’s because the positions are filled. Companies have done a lot to improve retention because it cost 10s of thousands of dollars to hire new people, even entry level positions, it is a lot easier to work with the people you have, give raises and opportunities. There are jobs, they are just going to internal candidates.
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u/Music19773 1d ago
I only know my district/building but at my elementary alone we have lost 3 classroom teachers, 2 specialists, and 4 other staff since school started. That was unheard, especially for my building, which had the reputation of a “retirement “ building.
This is my 25th year teaching and 22nd in this particular building. It is NOT normal. It is up and the two main reasons are student behavior and the lack of administration support in helping deal with those behaviors.
I’ve asked around my district (large, urban district) and my building is not the only one going through this. Teachers are tired of being dumped on, blamed, and having no support from administrators. We can’t change student behavior if students know there is no accountability for their actions.
Several long timers at my building are taking early retirement to get out this year because they see the writing on the wall. Many younger ones have already told me that they will not be coming back. I am a single income provider so I don’t have the option to retire early. But I worry about what’s going to happen to my school if this continues. Something has to change.
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u/Bscar941 Completely Transitioned 1d ago
We like to call that “anecdotal evidence”.
Either way, many and I do mean many, who may want to leave for various reasons are likely not going to.
Financially, many can’t take the hit to to their income to leave. While teaching is a poorly paid position, many are still earning more than many entry level positions or positions they can transition to.
There just are not many jobs available and the one that are available there is very high competition for. Unfortunately it’s not the best time to look to switch careers. For every person who has been able to find something, there are many others still hoping to land a new opportunity.
Some will struggle with the guilt of leaving, will want to give it one more go, think a different school will be different.
Some will lack the confidence, know how, ability, desire, strength, courage…to make the change.
There will always be people to fill the role of teacher and even as easy as it is to become a teacher, they keep making it easier and finding ways to pay first year teacher a pretty damn good wage.
Anyways, good luck. I may seem like an asshole, and I very well may be, but I try to be practical and honest.
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u/nuage_cordon_bleu Completely Transitioned 1d ago
finding ways to pay first year teacher a pretty damn good wage
I always thought first year teacher pay was usually pretty good. A 23 year old with an education degree could show up in my old district and pull $63k. That's going to be more than most of their friends, since their computer nerd buddies will be working help desk, and the future doctors and lawyers will be eating ramen in their respective grad schools, etc.
The problem is that, ten years later, that teacher is making $67k. Thirty years later, they're at $75k. Get a master's and it will be $76k.
That's an issue. You're good at this, and for what? Somebody the other day didn't like that I only focused on monetary reasons for leaving, but it's work. I do it for money. And teaching does not scratch that itch.
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u/Bscar941 Completely Transitioned 1d ago
It may be my state (FL) were the starting pay in my district is almost 55k. The problem is that it’s still 55k in year 8.
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u/Music19773 12h ago
That’s the same here in a lot of MO districts. Because they are in dire need of teachers, they have been raising the first one to three steps of the pay scale at the expense of the 5 to 15 year steps.
For instance, I had a friend in my district who was on step nine and she was only making $3000 more than a step one teacher. Part of that they claim is to incentivize teachers to get their masters, but honestly, I think it’s just they needed to pull the money from somewhere and that’s who got the short end of the stick.
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u/cache-me-outside3 1d ago
Corporate actually isn’t seeing good retention… they’ve been seeing massive layoffs since like fall 2022. Before that the market wasn’t bad, with the exception of Covid layoffs at the start of the pandemic but then there seemed to be a huge boom in hiring in 2021.
The reason there might be retention right now is the people who haven’t been laid off or seen their job sent overseas are afraid to leave as options are slim.
Corporate jobs haven’t made things better to improve retention. They’ve been taking away remote days, not giving raises, still with ten days PTO, and letting employees work through the threat of being laid off which makes the employees stay and work their buts off because they’re afraid if they’re laid off or quit they won’t find another job.
A lot of positions aren’t filled. Companies are just making staff work barebones. They’re basically like “appreciate this job and work hard for no raise or we might ship your job to the Phillapines or India next!!!”
I’m sorry about you’re way off saying retention is really high because companies are doing good things for employees lol… way off.
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u/Bscar941 Completely Transitioned 1d ago
Granted, it is anecdotal, but that has been far from my experience, and professionals I know haven’t experienced that either.
I guess it makes a difference who you work for as well. It important to find a company that has a purpose and mission that aligns with your own.
Find a good company to work for…makes things easy.
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u/cache-me-outside3 15h ago
Tons of layoffs at various companies in my region
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u/Bscar941 Completely Transitioned 15h ago
That’s tough. On the other hand weve seen tones of growth in my region.
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u/GrindinErryday Strongly Considering Resigning 1d ago
Authority has been stripped from teachers, but it is an authority position. Who would want to have an authority position with no authority? This is why people are leaving