staff shortage. Illness. Student behavior that is more challenging than ever. We all know the reasons why this was one of the toughest teaching years ever – and now we’re seeing the consequences in the form of teachers quitting mid-year. No teacher wants to leave their students in the middle of the year, but with little administrative and parental support, many colleagues feel they have no choice.
TikTok has been inundated with #quittingteaching videos lately, and users are sharing the powerful reasons why they’re feeling driven. It’s a trend we have no choice but to heed, or students will return to empty classrooms by Thanksgiving and winter break. Unfortunately, even simple solutions don’t pose a problem – teachers need more support, more planning time, and more money, and all of that will only come with a serious re-evaluation of schools.
Listen as TikTok teachers share their stories:
“For years my life, money and time revolved around my students.”
@ finding happiness14
Farewell to teaching 💔 #teaching #teacherburnout #careerchange #education #fyp #iquit #quitteaching #quittingteaching #teachertok #teachers #teach #employeeappreciation #quittingstory #toxicworkplace #storytime #ThatCloseMessenger #IDeserveTuitionContest
♬ Home – Edith Whiskers
“I feel so guilty and like a failure.”
@dani_annie_fo_fannie
I did it #teachersoftiktok #teacherburnout #quitting
♬ Remember_you_mars – Trillian
“It’s the most difficult decision I’ve ever made.”
@teacherinreallife
#leavingteaching #teachersoftiktok #walkingaway
♬ Almost idyllic – Finally sleeping
“I do not know where to start.”
@vivaciousgee
Year 5 and got me out. #iquiteaching #leavingteaching #teachersoftiktok #mymentalhealthmatters #gaslighting #123PandoraME #TakeTheDayOffChallenge
♬ Original sound – A Gist of Gee
“We had a lockdown every year.”
@bethphilemon
Replying to @danigiggs on #leavingteaching for a reason I don’t talk about often – I see you and encourage everyone to seek therapy for these experiences
♬ Original sound – bethphilemon
“The stress is unbelievable.”
@chgarrett
#teacherquits #bekindtoteachers Note: I quit before school started. The students supported my choice of #mentalhealthmatters
♬ Original sound – user1792336425636
“I had my hair pulled out by a student.”
@ash_leahh
most importantly: The rewarding feeling and love I have for my students was outweighed by the constant abuse seen as “just part of the job.”
♬ Lavender Cappuccino – Muspace
“I made $1,100 after taxes.”
@mividamahalia
Details on why I quit my teaching job in the middle of the school year#teachersoftiktok
♬ Original sound – M Alyssa Aponte
“I went through such a mental scare because I realized there were some unethical things happening in the system I worked for.”
@themindfulteacher1
From a teacher who quit and came back #teacher
♬ Original sound – Themindfulteacher
“The legislators who don’t support education … the school board members who don’t come into a classroom. The district administrators … the parents who are against teachers.”
@jason_whiting72
The most common question I get asked about retiring from teaching is “why”? I was just reminded. #teacher #teachersoftiktok #teacherresignation #education #whyiquit #resigned #teacherlife #teachertok #teacherfyp #formerteacher #teachersontiktok #thegreatresignation #brokensystem #educationtiktok #educationreform
♬ Original Soundtrack – 𝒥𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝒲𝒽𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔
We’d like to hear if teachers have left your school or district? Would you ever share your quitting story on TikTok? Please share in the comments.
Also, meet four teachers whose resignation letters went viral.
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