Why Are Teachers Leaving Education?

Why are Teachers Leaving Education? 

The following is by no means an exhaustive list.  These are simple lists that we came up with as we worked on this: 

 

Look first at why those who teach enter the profession  

1. Do something good for the community
2. Love the subject
3. Want to make a difference

 

Most teachers who leave tend to do this within the first 5-10 years for more economic stability and benefits.  

 

Most teachers who consider leaving do so due to feeling demoralized, believe they have compromised their ethics.

 

Teachers burn out due to

1.  ever-increasing demands on their time,
2.  energies, 
3. lack of administrative support, 
4. treatment as expendable and replaceable;
5.  lack of respect,
6. Micromanaging - teachers feel as though they are paraprofessionals - not allowed autonomy or ability to work without strong oversight.
7. Lack of Input - teacher-led groups now managed by administration.  Teachers “allowed” to attend. 
8.  and forced duty to tests, rather than the integrity of the subject. 
9. Understaffing
10. More busywork than actually teaching work
11. Low ROI in energy & degree

 

Re-moralization can occur when teachers are able to reidentify their purpose and reboot, but that will then become a series of waves for the instructor over time.  

 

What is needed:

1.  Continuous mental health work with every teacher
2. Identifiable supports from the administration
3. Valid support from Administration
4. Validations from peers, community, and administration
5. Cultivation of a viable professional community on a continuous basis

 

In this episode, we also referenced several articles listed below:

Why Are Experienced Teachers Leaving the Profession?

 

Leaving a Profession After It’s Left You: Teachers’ Public Resignation Letters as Resistance Amidst Neoliberalism

 

Why do teachers leave? A comprehensive occupational health study evaluating intent-to-quit in public school teachers

 

Somatization disorder and stress in teachers: a comprehensive occupational health evaluation

 

Why So Many Teachers Are Thinking of Quitting

 

Why Education Is About To Reach A Crisis Of Epic Proportions

 

Upcoming Event -

Liz Keable and Metacognition in Practise!

 

Also, don't forget to join the new podcast, Alternative Jigsaw, A podcast that helps newer teachers begin to access the use of their "instrument" and talents in working in Alternative Education.

Please do visit the National Association for Alternative Education for more resources! 

 

And, visit AERO for even more resources.