Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Many have cited burnout, overwork and a toxic school culture.
The Coronavirus pandemic, which has strained school systems around the world, is contributing to the exodus. A Joblist survey found that 40% of those who quit recently said the pandemic influenced their decision to leave.
Workload
The workload that teachers face is a big reason that they quit teaching. It can be a struggle to balance school work, family, and other responsibilities.
According to a recent survey, a third of educators who quit teaching in the past year said that the workload they faced was a key reason. In addition to the stress and burnout that teachers feel, they also worry about losing their health insurance or pension if they leave the profession.
To address this issue, schools in Nottingham have recently adopted a charter to ensure that they don't put excessive workload on their teachers. The charter aims to create a safe environment for teachers to discuss their workload and provide a clearer definition of what is reasonable, which will cut the amount of work teachers feel they have to put in each day.
Personal Life
Teachers who quit or retired early in the past two years cited everything from challenging physical conditions to emotional stress and unrealistic expectations. But many of them also cited their own personal life issues.
Across the country, teachers have been on the front lines of pandemic battles that for some have made an already-stressful profession intolerable. Polling shows more teachers may soon leave the profession earlier than they intended.
While it’s not uncommon for employees to leave jobs, teachers are particularly likely to do so. Almost half of teachers who’ve considered quitting the past few years say they did so because of workplace pressures.
Among teachers who stayed in the classroom, a supportive administrator and leadership team was the top reason they stuck around. Even in tough situations, if administrators showed genuine appreciation and cared about teachers’ well-being, it made a huge difference in whether they stuck around or not.
Health
Teachers face a variety of health issues as they work with students. Stress, chronic fatigue and mental illness are among the most common problems.
When teachers don’t have access to support and a positive work environment, it can be difficult to maintain good physical and mental health. In addition, they often face challenges such as student apathy, disruptive behavior and bullying.
Moreover, their workloads can be stressful and unsustainable, which can lead to burnout and poor work/life balance.
According to a recent survey by Monash University, workload pressure was the most common reason that teachers intended to leave teaching. However, they also cited a toxic workplace culture and low esteem in the public.
Salary
Teachers typically make a fraction of the salary that their counterparts in other jobs get. But when you combine a low salary with long days and other stressors, it's easy to see why teachers are leaving.
A recent poll found that more than half of teachers consider quitting their profession. A few cite burnout and feelings of disrespect as the main reasons.
But others point to budget cuts, lack of family leave policies and political pressures. In Texas, educators face right-wing culture wars, book bans and threats of gun violence - with little support from the state's governor.
Fortunately, there are many other options for teachers with the skills they develop in classrooms. Freelancing or becoming a consultant can be an excellent way to make money while continuing to work with children.