I started teaching when I was 35. I lasted about 6 or 7 years (2013-2019ish). Taught math and science from 6 to 12 grade throughout various years (7th graders were by far the worst). I was known to the kids as the cool teacher. I tried asking them to stop the bad behavior when they got out of line. And I made them understand that asking is really demanding them to make the correction. I went in with the mentality that, why do I have to be mean to get them to behave. I don't like being mean, and when I do, I'd do everything in my power to make their life as miserable as mine in class. I didn't want to have to go to work every day, only to have to be mean to get the tiniest bit of compliance. So I quit, went back to college for 3 years and got another degree in Civil Engineering. I was hired full time before I even graduated making twice the money, for half the work. And I love my job and look forward to going every day. My point is, you're never too old to start over.
I taught for 7 years after getting out of the navy. Teaching made me wish that I’d stayed in to become a drill instructor at boot camp where you really abuse people verbally. So I’m a mean guy. Even the high school kids in the ghetto thought that I was mean. I took that as a compliment. When I finally quit teaching it was to go ship out with the merchant marine for 8 years. When I got fed up with that I went to barber college and cut hair for 20 years. Civil engineering strikes me as a great career. One reason I quit teaching was because I didn’t like the other teachers.
I agree with every point you made. I’m an over-educated special Ed teacher with ELL endorsement and 2 masters degrees and left the classroom for a reason you mentioned but every single thing you mentioned is legit. I am working up the courage to tell my story, too. Not for my sake, but for the record. Thx for your time here and your courage to speak out.
So, you've spent nearly your entire life in a classroom. What a truly horrible life you've been living. It must take every bit of willpower just to survive another day. Do you mark your calender every day like an inmate? The world is looking forward to hearing your story, that is if you're able to tell it.
I'm so sorry this has been your experience as an educator. I left teaching last year, and my career was long (40 years), but I think I just got lucky, with timing (things HAVE changed) and with the content of my teaching (art). I never did learn to shut up, I pissed a lot of people off with my opinions, but every single time it was for the advocacy of my most vulnerable kids, or my colleagues. I did learn to fly under the radar sometimes, which probably saved me. I left bad jobs or turned them down, and had to do quite a bit of tuning out (the endless and ever changing mountain of ed initiatives!) but the truth is I simply got lucky. I know this was probably a really hard decision for you, and that so many kids will miss out on knowing a wonderful teacher, but this path is your path. Owning where you are is brave and necessary and I know you are on to doing great things!
That is why it's so valuable to have lots of teaching experience these days. I could say, "Yes, Sir, my objective today is student mastery of subject- verb agreement as per State Objective P12433#4 (made up). I taught AP ELA but wrote, "Today's Objective: Subject-Verb Agreement" on the board, shut the door, and proceeded to teach critical analysis of MOBY DICK.
I quit after 3 years, Horrible administration and horrible parents. My dream was to teach. Lead, guide and inspire…..my mantra. Principal’s mantra was to destroy.
I’m a first year social studies teacher. I’m likely planning on leaving either mid year or end of year if I can last. Everything you’ve said I feel and I see and I’m so beyond burnt out. Thank you for these words!
Omg I'm finishing up my certification now 😭 I plan on doing World History AP and AVID. I know it's bad but I'm trying to have hope. Edit: *If they stress me out too bad tho I'll definitely get to steppin. I'm a gen z girlie all we know is quitting things that don't serve us*
First year HS English teacher here. I'm planning on giving one more try at a different school... I'm hoping admin and the school culture will be better before hanging up the towel.
Thank you for all you do. I left teaching as well, and now I'm dealing with all of the trauma that I held in my body, heart, and mind. Everything you said including SPED and behaviors were spot on! You said it all perfectly. Sending you a big hug and rooting for you and all the teachers like us that have left and are looking for the "what's next" in our lives.
I quit after 19 years. Teaching was my dream and I loved it for many years. The last 7 became a nightmare. I held out because that's what I thought I needed to do until I absolutely burned out beyond repair. Ungrateful parents, admin, and unbelievable behaviors took a toll that was too high.
Year 20 here. I ask out of serious curiosity of what career you found to replace your 19 yrs teaching. Too early to retire and need to work. Teaching credential and BA degree.
But you made it, as 99.9% of teachers decide to (wisely) do. The disgruntled teachers who' s " had it up to here and isn't gonna take it any more" is an urban myth perpetuated by the teachers unions and the radical left wing of the Democrat party, much like Yeti or the Loch Ness Monster.
I was a special ed teacher for 17 years. Things came to a major head last year. I have my ELL endorsement so I move into that position. No curriculum. these stupid frameworks and I am lacking motivation and I think this is the year I'm going to quit. I just am not enjoying life and I make a lot of money but I'm willing to lose tons of money in order to not hate waking up every day of my life.
@@fifimsp Exactly! ELL programs have been active in our schools for many years now! Why no curriculum ??? Same for SPED! We would be required to attend workshops and professional training on new programs being implemented in our schools, but we’re not given access to the accompanying materials! What’s the point! SO many things in education just don’t make sense.
@@valeriethomas4168 Well in the end you know it comes down to money. Today was the day that broke me and I just can't do it anymore. Like I have no energy to even try to be better anymore. Why no curriculum? I have no idea except that they want us to do this certain type of teaching. Whatever, I think it's a money thing. But in the end I can't do it. I even work in an okay district as far as some other things are concerned. That stuff about trans rights and stuff is the opposite in our district. We have huge polices in place. All teachers are given cards to wear on their lanyards that are expressing your an allie and a bar code with helpful answers for students. Like that stuff is fine. The rest...yep totally applies. My favorite line was, "faux integration." Oh my god yes...!
Kevin, I listened to all twenty-six and a half minutes of your video and was reminded of just how exhausting teaching is. I left the profession in 2009 because things were tough back then. But when I watch the news nowadays and see what goes on at school committee meetings, it is obvious that the atmosphere is not only difficult -- it's volatile! So much toxicity is spewed from the right wing rallies and the pulpits against educators! Wow, you are a good teacher, but now you deserve so much more!
It's refreshing to see someone discussing the challenges teachers face when transitioning careers. Your video provides valuable guidance and encouragement. Keep up the excellent work!
Amen....on every single point. I worked at a private college preparatory school with privileged students, and it was the EXACT same. And in the words of 'you', know that you are loved, you are worthy, and you are not alone. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors. 💙
Thank you for this honest evaluation of issues that have destroyed the teaching profession. I started teaching special education in 1978 and quit 12 years ago, 11 years before I was supposed to retire at 65. The stresses of teaching created way too many health issues way too early. The numerous and constant stresses that plague teaching have been brewing for decades. You brought to light things that have needed to change for a long time. Life improves without all of the stresses that come from teaching.
So very sad. I became an educator as a second career, retiring after 18 years. It's an impossible job to do, and gets worse each year. Parents of terrible behaving kids hear the same things we experience, yet they don't step up to actually parent their children. Add that to all of the accountability and the myriad of tasks that teachers must do, and you get suffering teachers who GET OUT.
I remember at my high school we were encouraged to take creative classes, and those were some of the most fun and enriching classes of my education. It’s difficult to imagine a system where status quo and image matter more than the wellbeing of these children yearning for connection and compassion.
I too remember being in junior high school back in 1972, and one of my favorite classes was Creative Writing. That course was standard fare back in my high school...(Germantown High School, Philadelphia) along with Commercial Art! That kind of creativity would be squashed before it hit the school board floor!!
Thank you for your service to our students and our country. You are so learned . To tell the truth, your district does not deserve you. Good luck to you.
After 14 years, I'm flat out sick of being disrespected by other people's kids. I often ask my middle school students if they act this way when they visit the doctor or dentist? We are all educated professionals giving them an important service. Why is it acceptable to disrespect teachers? Because most of us are women? I'm tired of being responsible for controlling other people's behavior. Where else is that a thing? I used to love this job and say I'd keep teaching even if I hit lotto. Now? I'm desperate for a way out. Young teachers, get out before the golden handcuffs trap you. Those of you studying to become teachers... switch gears or start to work on your Plan B because teaching is NOT sustainable if you want to be able to support yourself and actually live your life.
It all begins at home. It is CLEAR that many parents do not parent their children, yet they expect the school to do everything, and will be in the teacher's face if their kid gets a poor grade, or are told they are disruptive.
You are so well-spoken, that I got goosebumps! I’m a past teacher andI resonated with much of what you said, especially Special Ed. We had 150 High incident sped students in our 6th grade case load. And 3 paras for them. The district actually forced Sped teachers to be paras during their planning periods
...all of these reasons are why as of Monday, after 25 years, I am retired. 5 years early but I'm out. Thanks to technology and the ever growing ability to educate on many platforms, I can help to make a difference in many more lives with authenticity, freedom, and unconditional love. I was a SPED teacher and Department Head...it's an absolute farce and the most unorganized and priorities for support for kids who are on the trajectory for supported living. The kids who can be independent but just need extra support are NOT SUPPORTED! Inclusion is absolutely not what is happening in the classroom. Lip service and word salads that mask the reality. Thank you for speaking truths.
Kevin, I feel all of this to my core. For all the reasons you have mentioned, I am leaving this profession after 21 years, this June. Thank you for using your platform to promote awareness of all the issues teachers are facing on a daily basis. Your words truly hit home. I cried with you at the end, as I was on my way to work listening to this video, about a mile from my school parking lot. I am right there with you. I hope you are doing well. I love my students, but I can no longer function or feel fulfilled in a system that continuously discredits my expertise or devalues my opinions.
Kevin, I just found your video. I have never heard the issues within the field of education so intelligently brought to the forefront. You have told the solid truth. Thank you. I have ended my career as an educator in the classroom. I’m hopeful that I am able to continue touching the lives of children and young people through tutoring and whatever God sends my way. I pray that you are living well and have found your place to be all that is possible.
I know it might sound off topic, but I've been a sped para for about 8 years now and I myself am at wits end. Lack of support from admin, student behavior getting worse, and Karen parents, I just can't do it anymore. I was even planning to do a para to teacher program that my district offers but seeing how bad everything has gotten I completely changed my mind and I'm glad I did. I myself dont't plan to stay as a para long.
After listening to you I feel a sense of loss for the students. You must have been an outstanding teacher. I retired from a self contained special ed class. I got out in time before it got worse. The documentation and expectation for my intellectual disabled students became unrealistic while giving me little support for the ones who had the ability to learn to some academic skills. It became a warehouse.
Im in year 2 and im over all of it. Idk how yall do this for 5-20 years. Tired of having to come in early, tired of dealing with bad behavior EVERYDAY, tired of working late, tired of working at home after working 9 hours at school, tired of having to do work on weekends, tired of the heavy workload, tired of analyzing and putting in data(thought this was teaching), tired of the micromanaging and people telling you how you are supposed to teach a certain thing, tired of going to planning and we not even planning but instead putting in data for the district. tired of only really having a 20 minute break the whole day. I miss all my old jobs.
I couldn’t finish this video. I am in y first year of teaching in a classroom and just hearing again all of the problems I deal with every day, makes me feel very frustrated. But so far what I heard it’s on point. Too much in fact that I think I need to be on a very good state of mind to finish this video.
I hope you seriously consider getting out of public education. The first year is the worst for a teacher, but the state of education gets worse with every year.
I was asked to cover a special education class once on my conference period when the regular teacher became ill, and a certified teacher needed to be in the room even though the teacher's aide was present. When the narrator says that these students are being ill- served, a layman may not know what he means. I walked in to a room where one boy was banging his head against the wall, another with obviously severe brain damage was sitting in his wheelchair, drooling, a teenaged girl was coloring in a coloring book, another boy had to have help cleaning himself after using the bathroom. All in a regular public high school. These kids needed 24 hour care for physical needs at the least. Yet some of them are mainstreamed (old term) into regular classrooms on parents' demand. "Oh, my child just needs a little extra help. He's just a little slow." I prayed for the bell to ring.
THANK YOU KEVIN....Your deeply moving, yet troubling narrative of what the job of being a teacher is really like, moved me to tears. I have watched so many videos of teachers who have endured years of the relentless erosion of their best efforts and noble intentions. Some recount their experiences with humor; some tell their tale with anger and defeat, but the story, no matter how it is can tell the story humorously, some angrily and some tell that story in great distress. But no matter how the story is reported, there is one thing they all have in common....their stories are all too true! When will the powers that be dislodge from their Wall Street ivory towers and make changes that are not only necessary, but imperative! If all aspects of the American public education modality are NOT carefully, honestly & expeditiously evaluated, and then completely restructured, like a house on fire, our children, your children, and their children for generations to come, will cease to benefit from the very premise that the American educational system was built on: "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access". Americans are in the crosshairs of a disaster...a disaster that is threatening the future of this great country and its means of survival. Very little is being done to avoid it and no one seems to really care or comprehend the urgency of the impact on every single American! The mass exodus of teachers in every state, is just a symptom of what lies ahead. Kevin, I have no doubt that you will move on to better things and that you will always find a way to educate and enhance the lives of children no matter where you go.
My mother had a lifetime K-12 Cert in Massachusetts. She helped design curriculum back east. When we moved to AZ, her cert didn't transfer and she was tossed into the very system you describe here, and it broke her. She retired early, partly due to disability, but 90% of her decision was because of exactly what you described here and more. One of her students assaulted her and she received no support from the school let alone the district.
I'm from the UK and left teaching after 13 years for exactly the same reasons you talk about. I loved teaching but not the job, which was overweighted in favour of administration. Now I teach private lessons to individuals learning English in Italy.
I like being a teacher what makes me quit is the district, principals, administration and some faculty. If teachers were backed up by the principals, we would be able to teach without fear getting reprimanded and fired. Im now a sub teacher The good part the school can’t demand the same expectation from sub. Yeah we are look down upon but my attitude is who cares im just in and out for that day. Although the pay sucks but my stress level is much less
I very much want to leave but I’m so fearful to leave because I have no idea what I would do as I have been in this for 20 years. This teacher has hit many important points
You will do what every teacher in America with twenty years in the system does.You will work ten more years and retire with a cop pension. See, wasn't that easy?
@@zephead843 wow ur certainly an assumptive person … no, actually I work internationally and international teachers do not make a pension and often we have to work longer than most … but thanks for ur assumptions… why would u assume everyone on here is “American “ that’s a very narrow viewpoint as there is an entire world aside from the good ole U.S of A
@@zephead843 mamma Mia ! Are u under the impression that only Americans speak English 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️holy crap! How old are you ? 14? There are international teachers working all over the world … there are people on other countries where English is spoken as a majority language : England, Ireland, Australia, Dubai …. Yes in Dubai most everyone speaks English … additionally I don’t have ten years before I retire I have 20
I'm sorry you were pushed to this point. I have a.... spirited.... kindergartener and I'd hate to think his teacher gets in trouble when he has a hard time keeping still. He seems to have made a lot of progress this year and I'm so grateful for his teacher's hard work. I know it's brutal!
Isn't it amazing how a teacher can even survive these days, the unrelenting stress of having the same exact work and vacation schedule as a six year old. My goodness, how do they do it?
What you’ve spoken about is all true especially the part about SPED. As a SPED teacher I haven’t heard many people hit those points like you have! You understand the problem.
Kevin, you are an incredible human. Your statement is excellent, intelligent and true. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the very best in your Journey forward. You are contributing amazing things for our species. 💫
Loved your humor/mild sarcasm to drive home the reality of the job, these days. Hopefully things will get better in teaching in the future, but right now we all seem trapped. .James Deagle
I volunteer at the school where my daughter teaches. I only spend about 3 o 4 hours a week there, but I can see the frustration and stress on my daughter's face as she faces each day. She's a wonderful teacher and all the students love her, but I'm not sure she will continue in the trade she trained so many years for. You've laid out many of the reasons why she is re-considering her reasons to be a teacher. Just today (6/12/2023) she told me that her middle school has 14 teachers and teacher assistants are not returning in the fall. Fourteen! Our public school system is indeed in trouble.
Middle school gathers together all the kids entering puberty and with very little self-regulation. Even being 13 was awful. The discipline in Grades 7 and 8 was the strictest of all the school years, rightly.
I feel like I could have recorded this video, every word and sentiment I have said, and even the tone. I’m an older “first year” teacher even though I’ve worked for the district in instructional capacities for 10 years. None of my experience is counted, even though I was teaching, within the same walls as veteran teachers and way before some of these considered most experienced (who came in after me). They say they are concerned I will, “burn out” but yet people are pushing me to it. “Self-care” is an excuse to not have to care about others’ mental health, although no one is encouraged to use their abundance of sick days for mental health days. Hugs to all the people who have given so much for very little recognition .
I like being a teacher what makes me quit is the district, principals, administration and some faculty. If teachers were backed up by the principals, we would be able to teach with out fear getting fired.
9:13 getting in trouble for sending too many students to the bathroom! What you've gone through! Blessings and happiness in your new life and livelihood 🎉
I took the longer harder route you described, 30 years and only way out was to leave to care for aging parents. It is hard to leave teaching, for the idealism and benefits. But yes, it is not worth it, with the bull shit they put on teachers as doing the job to the impossible standards. Yes, the lock downs and gen alpha on top of the current trendy pop solutions offered, when we had success before no child left behind and standardized tests, when teachers and schools made their curriculum trailered to the student population. Some schools can work, there are some great models of excellence. But the resources and students aren’t equitable in community involvement and capacity. If they gave teachers in the lower scoring schools bonuses for hazard pay, that would help.
I left 7yrs ago, I retired as fast as I could (55). I have not regrets leaving. I was bound by confidentiality, but I came to believe it was just a way to cover up administrations mismanagement. I was lucky my first 8yrs, the next 5 was with an immature, alcoholic Karen. I had planned to leave but was asked to stay and help her transition. Yr 1 of 5 challenging but doable, yr 2-5 she arrived between 8:30-12 hungover and a b#tch. We lost all the hard won opportunities for our students because of her (school store, no homeroom, got board of education supervision due to her stubbornness, the list goes on. I transferred out of her room and was thrilled my last 2 yrs. Had I not transferred out I would have left on disability. Eventually she must have been forced into AA because she call me to do the step of confessing. After confessing, she said but and explained she was young (25-30) + more, AA isn’t going to work, cuz she ain’t working’ it. I remember my first experience with 2 girls kissing in the hall, I just said PDAs aren’t acceptable school behavior, say it to girl/boy also. I asked the VP if my response was correct and he said “spot on.” I won’t lie. I believe you need to use the bathroom you were genetically assigned at birth or go too the nurses office. New schools can have unassigned gender bathrooms built into them for greater convenience. Same with sports, gender at birth. Locker rooms needed to be assigned by gender with set aside public bathrooms to accommodate those who identify differently. Girls bathrooms aren’t private enough to have anything other than those those assigned at birth as female. I promise you, 80+% don’t want to view a male private part in the girls locker room as a jock strap is slipped on to protect that part of their anatomy. Otherwise, I agree with your issues of resource mismanagement. I agree that services aren’t given for any number of reasons. Without a Special Education and paraprofessional you can’t service the student/IEP appropriately. Everyone is so stressed out, child, adult and teacher it’s overwhelming and causes all 3 groups to end up with anxiety and depression.
You said a mouthful right there sir. I'm currently a substitute teacher in NYC and going for my certification in Elementary Education. I'm a little afraid for the future of education once I'm done with my certification classes
30 year retired teacher here. Teaching is hard. The skills you need to be a good teacher are hard won during the course of one’s career. All of the complaints I’ve heard on this and similar videos highlighting former teachers who quit the profession have been experienced by those of us who did not quit but stuck it out because we value the contributions we as teachers have to make to our students and the community that makes up our particular school district. If you find disruptive students, overbearing and unresponsive administrators, large classroom sizes, irresponsible parenting, lack of prep time plus other resources needed to do your job, all these things, reasons for quitting a profession with tremendous impact on your community, then, it may be that you were not qualified for the position from the get go. It is better to quit out right at the end of your first year than be a quiet quitter and hurt the reputation of the profession for which you clearly do not have the aptitude. Real teachers do not abandon their students and communities because it is hard. ( this of course, does not mean that we cannot complain, and strive to make things better).
Perhaps the first three or four years are what they’re supposed to be. But then after that social promotion rapidly undermines the program owing to the everybody goes to college imperative which has ruined industrial arts and secretarial training at the secondary level and which becomes increasingly distressing for kids with below average IQs who are clearly not going to either get in in the first place or else succeed in college if they do get a place at an open admissions institution. Then after flunking out of college they have no vocational skills owing to the false hope they were given even though they probably cannot read very well much less type a coherent essay. I wouldn’t even consider teaching again unless I was teaching one of the trades I mastered after quitting teaching such as deck seamanship in the merchant marine or barbering perhaps. And then of course I would be teaching young adults and not kids. My favorite class as a teacher was GED which is really adult equivalency tutoring. Although some of the students at Job Corps might come to class after smoking weed you just didn’t get the totally asinine nonsense that you typically do in secondary schools.
I get you, but the parents who do not parent their disruptive children, won't home school them either, and then that's what will be left in classrooms.
I'm a custodian at a "high scoring school" . Granted I don't know all the specifics but I agree with alot of this. It's all about $$$ for some reason. Yes tons of red tape. As a custodian we see everything and if close to teachers. Where there outlet.
Imho the sped program is a waste of resources. The sped program for elementary especially 4th grade and below is nothing more than a daycare or baby sitter’s job especially for DLC and autistic students. Lots of playing , snack, napping time incorporated in these program
Accurate. I don’t see racism/sexism because I’m in a super diverse city. But everything else…100%. It’s such a broken system. I’m exhausted. The onus, which should be on the system, is being placed on the individual. Exactly. The higher you climb, the less responsibility you have to take lol. What a joke.
I love your first name♥️♥️! My beloved maternal grandmother who passed away in 2021 was named Miriam, and I have a very special affection for that name 🥰🥰
I blame the school boards who are waging war against parents AND teachers. If you love teaching, open your own accredited school. Public schools are TOXIC. We need good affordable private schools. I'm lucky I was a private piano teacher. I could CHOOSE my students, and fire them if parents were mean. Sounds like beaurocrats are in control. You could send them to Siberia and they would NEVER be missed.
The problem in particular is heterosexual white men in positions of power? So if I'm heterosexual and white I'm no good? Isn't that sexist and racist? If I flipped that line and said the problem was gay black men in positions of power, what do you think the response would be? You were on point until that extremely idiotic line.
James, while I understand where you're coming from with your comment, I think it's all in the interpretation of what he said. I took it as 'mainly' heterosexual white men in positions of power are making the decisions for educators nowadays. Since I'm from Florida, I'm speaking specifically of DeSantis, our current governor, who is dictating 'what' and 'how' we can teach in a classroom. My father in law was a heterosexual white man, and the principal of a high school for 26 years, and one of the best men I knew. He always tried to do right by his staff and valued their opinions, but times have changed. I think Kevin would agree, that if you're a heterosexual white man and agreed with all that he said up until 'that point' in his video, then you could do the most good for the profession, because your word may be valued a little more. I'm not saying it's right, but it's the world we live in.
This just tells us that you just hear what you want to hear in till it goes against your own ideologies. He is just stating the facts of it. This is not about picking and choosing. If gay black men were in a position of power then we would have said the same about them. Overall the people in charge are not doing what needs to be done properly for the school system to function and excel.
I started teaching when I was 35. I lasted about 6 or 7 years (2013-2019ish). Taught math and science from 6 to 12 grade throughout various years (7th graders were by far the worst).
I was known to the kids as the cool teacher. I tried asking them to stop the bad behavior when they got out of line. And I made them understand that asking is really demanding them to make the correction. I went in with the mentality that, why do I have to be mean to get them to behave. I don't like being mean, and when I do, I'd do everything in my power to make their life as miserable as mine in class. I didn't want to have to go to work every day, only to have to be mean to get the tiniest bit of compliance.
So I quit, went back to college for 3 years and got another degree in Civil Engineering. I was hired full time before I even graduated making twice the money, for half the work. And I love my job and look forward to going every day.
My point is, you're never too old to start over.
I taught for 7 years after getting out of the navy. Teaching made me wish that I’d stayed in to become a drill instructor at boot camp where you really abuse people verbally. So I’m a mean guy. Even the high school kids in the ghetto thought that I was mean. I took that as a compliment. When I finally quit teaching it was to go ship out with the merchant marine for 8 years. When I got fed up with that I went to barber college and cut hair for 20 years. Civil engineering strikes me as a great career. One reason I quit teaching was because I didn’t like the other teachers.
I agree with every point you made. I’m an over-educated special Ed teacher with ELL endorsement and 2 masters degrees and left the classroom for a reason you mentioned but every single thing you mentioned is legit. I am working up the courage to tell my story, too. Not for my sake, but for the record. Thx for your time here and your courage to speak out.
So, you've spent nearly your entire life in a classroom. What a truly horrible life you've been living. It must take every bit of willpower just to survive another day. Do you mark your calender every day like an inmate? The world is looking forward to hearing your story, that is if you're able to tell it.
I'm so sorry this has been your experience as an educator. I left teaching last year, and my career was long (40 years), but I think I just got lucky, with timing (things HAVE changed) and with the content of my teaching (art). I never did learn to shut up, I pissed a lot of people off with my opinions, but every single time it was for the advocacy of my most vulnerable kids, or my colleagues. I did learn to fly under the radar sometimes, which probably saved me. I left bad jobs or turned them down, and had to do quite a bit of tuning out (the endless and ever changing mountain of ed initiatives!) but the truth is I simply got lucky. I know this was probably a really hard decision for you, and that so many kids will miss out on knowing a wonderful teacher, but this path is your path. Owning where you are is brave and necessary and I know you are on to doing great things!
That is why it's so valuable to have lots of teaching experience these days. I could say, "Yes, Sir, my objective today is student mastery of subject- verb agreement as per State Objective P12433#4 (made up). I taught AP ELA but wrote, "Today's Objective: Subject-Verb Agreement" on the board, shut the door, and proceeded to teach critical analysis of MOBY DICK.
I quit after 3 years, Horrible administration and horrible parents. My dream was to teach. Lead, guide and inspire…..my mantra. Principal’s mantra was to destroy.
Yup. I can attest to that.
Why didn't your teachers union go after your principal?
@@zephead843 Unions today do not advocate for teachers against sociopathic principals. I am a member only for tort insurance.
You could have went to a different school 😑
What were your experiences with parents?
"people don't quit jobs, they quit bosses." 💯%. You're so well-spoken and you hit every nail right on the head!
I’m a first year social studies teacher. I’m likely planning on leaving either mid year or end of year if I can last. Everything you’ve said I feel and I see and I’m so beyond burnt out. Thank you for these words!
Omg I'm finishing up my certification now 😭
I plan on doing World History AP and AVID. I know it's bad but I'm trying to have hope.
Edit: *If they stress me out too bad tho I'll definitely get to steppin. I'm a gen z girlie all we know is quitting things that don't serve us*
First year HS English teacher here. I'm planning on giving one more try at a different school... I'm hoping admin and the school culture will be better before hanging up the towel.
Thank you for all you do. I left teaching as well, and now I'm dealing with all of the trauma that I held in my body, heart, and mind. Everything you said including SPED and behaviors were spot on! You said it all perfectly. Sending you a big hug and rooting for you and all the teachers like us that have left and are looking for the "what's next" in our lives.
I quit after 19 years. Teaching was my dream and I loved it for many years. The last 7 became a nightmare. I held out because that's what I thought I needed to do until I absolutely burned out beyond repair. Ungrateful parents, admin, and unbelievable behaviors took a toll that was too high.
Year 20 here. I ask out of serious curiosity of what career you found to replace your 19 yrs teaching. Too early to retire and need to work. Teaching credential and BA degree.
Very well articulated! I’m a retired. SPED teacher-burn out is an UNDERSTATEMENT! Education is in a very sad state.
But you made it, as 99.9% of teachers decide to (wisely) do. The disgruntled teachers who' s " had it up to here and isn't gonna take it any more" is an urban myth perpetuated by the teachers unions and the radical left wing of the Democrat party, much like Yeti or the Loch Ness Monster.
I was a special ed teacher for 17 years. Things came to a major head last year. I have my ELL endorsement so I move into that position. No curriculum. these stupid frameworks and I am lacking motivation and I think this is the year I'm going to quit. I just am not enjoying life and I make a lot of money but I'm willing to lose tons of money in order to not hate waking up every day of my life.
@@fifimsp Exactly! ELL programs have been active in our schools for many years now! Why no curriculum ??? Same for SPED! We would be required to attend workshops and professional training on new programs being implemented in our schools, but we’re not given access to the accompanying materials! What’s the point! SO many things in education just don’t make sense.
@@valeriethomas4168 Well in the end you know it comes down to money. Today was the day that broke me and I just can't do it anymore. Like I have no energy to even try to be better anymore. Why no curriculum? I have no idea except that they want us to do this certain type of teaching. Whatever, I think it's a money thing. But in the end I can't do it. I even work in an okay district as far as some other things are concerned. That stuff about trans rights and stuff is the opposite in our district. We have huge polices in place. All teachers are given cards to wear on their lanyards that are expressing your an allie and a bar code with helpful answers for students. Like that stuff is fine. The rest...yep totally applies. My favorite line was, "faux integration." Oh my god yes...!
Kevin, I listened to all twenty-six and a half minutes of your video and was reminded of just how exhausting teaching is. I left the profession in 2009 because things were tough back then. But when I watch the news nowadays and see what goes on at school committee meetings, it is obvious that the atmosphere is not only difficult -- it's volatile! So much toxicity is spewed from the right wing rallies and the pulpits against educators!
Wow, you are a good teacher, but now you deserve so much more!
@@zephead843 You don't have any idea what you're talking about. Either you're trolling, or you aren't paying attention to what's going on in schools.
@@zephead843 Work as a teacher for a year, and then come back to let everyone know how easy the job is.
@@zephead843 something tells me you're a sit-on-your-ass-doing-nothing-but-complain-about-lazy-people manager
It's refreshing to see someone discussing the challenges teachers face when transitioning careers. Your video provides valuable guidance and encouragement. Keep up the excellent work!
I quit 20 years ago, it was getting bad even then. I knew I couldn’t go through 30 years of everything being my fault at a job.
Amen....on every single point. I worked at a private college preparatory school with privileged students, and it was the EXACT same. And in the words of 'you', know that you are loved, you are worthy, and you are not alone. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors. 💙
Thank you for this honest evaluation of issues that have destroyed the teaching profession. I started teaching special education in 1978 and quit 12 years ago, 11 years before I was supposed to retire at 65. The stresses of teaching created way too many health issues way too early. The numerous and constant stresses that plague teaching have been brewing for decades. You brought to light things that have needed to change for a long time.
Life improves without all of the stresses that come from teaching.
So very sad. I became an educator as a second career, retiring after 18 years. It's an impossible job to do, and gets worse each year. Parents of terrible behaving kids hear the same things we experience, yet they don't step up to actually parent their children. Add that to all of the accountability and the myriad of tasks that teachers must do, and you get suffering teachers who GET OUT.
I remember at my high school we were encouraged to take creative classes, and those were some of the most fun and enriching classes of my education. It’s difficult to imagine a system where status quo and image matter more than the wellbeing of these children yearning for connection and compassion.
I too remember being in junior high school back in 1972, and one of my favorite classes was Creative Writing. That course was standard fare back in my high school...(Germantown High School, Philadelphia) along with Commercial Art! That kind of creativity would be squashed before it hit the school board floor!!
Thank you for your service to our students and our country. You are so learned . To tell the truth, your district does not deserve you. Good luck to you.
After 14 years, I'm flat out sick of being disrespected by other people's kids. I often ask my middle school students if they act this way when they visit the doctor or dentist? We are all educated professionals giving them an important service. Why is it acceptable to disrespect teachers? Because most of us are women? I'm tired of being responsible for controlling other people's behavior. Where else is that a thing? I used to love this job and say I'd keep teaching even if I hit lotto. Now? I'm desperate for a way out. Young teachers, get out before the golden handcuffs trap you. Those of you studying to become teachers... switch gears or start to work on your Plan B because teaching is NOT sustainable if you want to be able to support yourself and actually live your life.
I’ve asked myself the same questions.
It all begins at home. It is CLEAR that many parents do not parent their children, yet they expect the school to do everything, and will be in the teacher's face if their kid gets a poor grade, or are told they are disruptive.
You are so well-spoken, that I got goosebumps! I’m a past teacher andI resonated with much of what you said, especially Special Ed. We had 150 High incident sped students in our 6th grade case load. And 3 paras for them. The district actually forced Sped teachers to be paras during their planning periods
...all of these reasons are why as of Monday, after 25 years, I am retired. 5 years early but I'm out. Thanks to technology and the ever growing ability to educate on many platforms, I can help to make a difference in many more lives with authenticity, freedom, and unconditional love.
I was a SPED teacher and Department Head...it's an absolute farce and the most unorganized and priorities for support for kids who are on the trajectory for supported living. The kids who can be independent but just need extra support are NOT SUPPORTED! Inclusion is absolutely not what is happening in the classroom. Lip service and word salads that mask the reality. Thank you for speaking truths.
Kevin, I feel all of this to my core. For all the reasons you have mentioned, I am leaving this profession after 21 years, this June. Thank you for using your platform to promote awareness of all the issues teachers are facing on a daily basis. Your words truly hit home. I cried with you at the end, as I was on my way to work listening to this video, about a mile from my school parking lot. I am right there with you. I hope you are doing well. I love my students, but I can no longer function or feel fulfilled in a system that continuously discredits my expertise or devalues my opinions.
Kevin, I just found your video. I have never heard the issues within the field of education so intelligently brought to the forefront. You have told the solid truth. Thank you. I have ended my career as an educator in the classroom. I’m hopeful that I am able to continue touching the lives of children and young people through tutoring and whatever God sends my way. I pray that you are living well and have found your place to be all that is possible.
Thank you. Much love to you Human Brother. 💗
I know it might sound off topic, but I've been a sped para for about 8 years now and I myself am at wits end. Lack of support from admin, student behavior getting worse, and Karen parents, I just can't do it anymore. I was even planning to do a para to teacher program that my district offers but seeing how bad everything has gotten I completely changed my mind and I'm glad I did. I myself dont't plan to stay as a para long.
I'm in my 4th year as a para, I'm sure we could share similar stories. It's out of control.
After listening to you I feel a sense of loss for the students. You must have been an outstanding teacher. I retired from a self contained special ed class. I got out in time before it got worse. The documentation and expectation for my intellectual disabled students became unrealistic while giving me little support for the ones who had the ability to learn to some academic skills. It became a warehouse.
"I got out in time before it got worse." Question: Was the building on fire?
Im in year 2 and im over all
of it. Idk how yall do this for 5-20 years. Tired of having to come in early, tired of dealing with bad behavior EVERYDAY, tired of working late, tired of working at home after working 9 hours at school, tired of having to do work on weekends, tired of the heavy workload, tired of analyzing and putting in data(thought this was teaching), tired of the micromanaging and people telling you how you are supposed to teach a certain thing, tired of going to planning and we not even planning but instead putting in data for the district. tired of only really having a 20 minute break the whole day. I miss all my old jobs.
I couldn’t finish this video. I am in y first year of teaching in a classroom and just hearing again all of the problems I deal with every day, makes me feel very frustrated. But so far what I heard it’s on point. Too much in fact that I think I need to be on a very good state of mind to finish this video.
I hope you seriously consider getting out of public education. The first year is the worst for a teacher, but the state of education gets worse with every year.
I'm crying - you've taken my thoughts and spoke them for me ... I thank you
I was asked to cover a special education class once on my conference period when the regular teacher became ill, and a certified teacher needed to be in the room even though the teacher's aide was present. When the narrator says that these students are being ill- served, a layman may not know what he means. I walked in to a room where one boy was banging his head against the wall, another with obviously severe brain damage was sitting in his wheelchair, drooling, a teenaged girl was coloring in a coloring book, another boy had to have help cleaning himself after using the bathroom. All in a regular public high school. These kids needed 24 hour care for physical needs at the least. Yet some of them are mainstreamed (old term) into regular classrooms on parents' demand. "Oh, my child just needs a little extra help. He's just a little slow." I prayed for the bell to ring.
Just think how fun that is for the educational aid that makes a quarter of what you make
I know you were a great teacher. But the system makes it almost impossible for good people to thrive.
THANK YOU KEVIN....Your deeply moving, yet troubling narrative of what the job of being a teacher is really like, moved me to tears. I have watched so many videos of teachers who have endured years of the relentless erosion of their best efforts and noble intentions. Some recount their experiences with humor; some tell their tale with anger and defeat, but the story, no matter how it is can tell the story humorously, some angrily and some tell that story in great distress. But no matter how the story is reported, there is one thing they all have in common....their stories are all too true! When will the powers that be dislodge from their Wall Street ivory towers and make changes that are not only necessary, but imperative! If all aspects of the American public education modality are NOT carefully, honestly & expeditiously evaluated, and then completely restructured, like a house on fire, our children, your children, and their children for generations to come, will cease to benefit from the very premise that the American educational system was built on: "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access". Americans are in the crosshairs of a disaster...a disaster that is threatening the future of this great country and its means of survival. Very little is being done to avoid it and no one seems to really care or comprehend the urgency of the impact on every single American! The mass exodus of teachers in every state, is just a symptom of what lies ahead. Kevin, I have no doubt that you will move on to better things and that you will always find a way to educate and enhance the lives of children no matter where you go.
You are so eloquent and well spoken. It is rare to meet someone with such expansive vocabulary. Keep on rockin❤
My mother had a lifetime K-12 Cert in Massachusetts. She helped design curriculum back east. When we moved to AZ, her cert didn't transfer and she was tossed into the very system you describe here, and it broke her. She retired early, partly due to disability, but 90% of her decision was because of exactly what you described here and more. One of her students assaulted her and she received no support from the school let alone the district.
I'm from the UK and left teaching after 13 years for exactly the same reasons you talk about. I loved teaching but not the job, which was overweighted in favour of administration. Now I teach private lessons to individuals learning English in Italy.
This is so well done!!!! Thank you!!! 🫂🙏🏽💪🏽
I like being a teacher what makes me quit is the district, principals, administration and some faculty. If teachers were backed up by the principals, we would be able to teach without fear getting reprimanded and fired. Im now a sub teacher The good part the school can’t demand the same expectation from sub. Yeah we are look down upon but my attitude is who cares im just in and out for that day. Although the pay sucks but my stress level is much less
Good video, thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.
I very much want to leave but I’m so fearful to leave because I have no idea what I would do as I have been in this for 20 years. This teacher has hit many important points
You will do what every teacher in America with twenty years in the system does.You will work ten more years and retire with a cop pension. See, wasn't that easy?
@@zephead843 wow ur certainly an assumptive person … no, actually I work internationally and international teachers do not make a pension and often we have to work longer than most … but thanks for ur assumptions… why would u assume everyone on here is “American “ that’s a very narrow viewpoint as there is an entire world aside from the good ole U.S of A
@@mariaborrelli8373 Because everyone on here is using English?...
@@zephead843 mamma Mia ! Are u under the impression that only Americans speak English 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️holy crap! How old are you ? 14? There are international teachers working all over the world … there are people on other countries where English is spoken as a majority language : England, Ireland, Australia, Dubai …. Yes in Dubai most everyone speaks English … additionally I don’t have ten years before I retire I have 20
@@mariaborrelli8373 Glad I could help. That's what I do. I help people.
I'm sorry you were pushed to this point. I have a.... spirited.... kindergartener and I'd hate to think his teacher gets in trouble when he has a hard time keeping still. He seems to have made a lot of progress this year and I'm so grateful for his teacher's hard work. I know it's brutal!
Isn't it amazing how a teacher can even survive these days, the unrelenting stress of having the same exact work and vacation schedule as a six year old. My goodness, how do they do it?
Thank you for speaking so eloquently about the realities of the work.
Sir you are very well spoken. Spoke my truth
Thank you for sharing your story, Kevin.
Thank you for this video. I quit grade-level teaching after three years.
What you’ve spoken about is all true especially the part about SPED. As a SPED teacher I haven’t heard many people hit those points like you have! You understand the problem.
I am quitting in June. I am so excited to walk away and start a new journey.
Kevin, you are an incredible human. Your statement is excellent, intelligent and true. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the very best in your Journey forward. You are contributing amazing things for our species. 💫
Loved your humor/mild sarcasm to drive home the reality of the job, these days. Hopefully things will get better in teaching in the future, but right now we all seem trapped. .James Deagle
I volunteer at the school where my daughter teaches. I only spend about 3 o 4 hours a week there, but I can see the frustration and stress on my daughter's face as she faces each day. She's a wonderful teacher and all the students love her, but I'm not sure she will continue in the trade she trained so many years for. You've laid out many of the reasons why she is re-considering her reasons to be a teacher. Just today (6/12/2023) she told me that her middle school has 14 teachers and teacher assistants are not returning in the fall. Fourteen! Our public school system is indeed in trouble.
Middle school gathers together all the kids entering puberty and with very little self-regulation. Even being 13 was awful. The discipline in Grades 7 and 8 was the strictest of all the school years, rightly.
Thank you for speaking out!!
Well said. You are brave. Thank u
Hope you have found a career path that you are happy with.
I hope Kevin's career path leads him to the produce section.
So true, and so heartbreaking. I miss my students, and having the privilege of helping to plan their futures. But, all you said is reality.
I know you are great teacher. Your speech really moved me! Wow! Succinctly stated.
Teaching is HARD and also satisfying BUT if we got paid better, like our actual worth??? Now maybe that's something we could sink our teeth into.
Got out after 21 years. Everything you say is ON POINT.
Very good video. Great articulation of the K-12 ills. Thanks for the truthful and kind words.
I feel like I could have recorded this video, every word and sentiment I have said, and even the tone. I’m an older “first year” teacher even though I’ve worked for the district in instructional capacities for 10 years. None of my experience is counted, even though I was teaching, within the same walls as veteran teachers and way before some of these considered most experienced (who came in after me). They say they are concerned I will, “burn out” but yet people are pushing me to it. “Self-care” is an excuse to not have to care about others’ mental health, although no one is encouraged to use their abundance of sick days for mental health days. Hugs to all the people who have given so much for very little recognition .
You are a poet!!! Your voice is like velvet
Brave! I quit teaching in 2000. Everything you spoke about I wholeheartedly concur with, especially your comments about SPED.
I like being a teacher what makes me quit is the district, principals, administration and some faculty. If teachers were backed up by the principals, we would be able to teach with out fear getting fired.
Hear, Hear! Well and cogently argued. Amen Brother!👍🙏❤️
That is very well articulated. We have the same problems in the UK. Politicians make policies that they force on us while knowing how to teach.
9:13 getting in trouble for sending too many students to the bathroom! What you've gone through! Blessings and happiness in your new life and livelihood 🎉
I took the longer harder route you described, 30 years and only way out was to leave to care for aging parents. It is hard to leave teaching, for the idealism and benefits. But yes, it is not worth it, with the bull shit they put on teachers as doing the job to the impossible standards.
Yes, the lock downs and gen alpha on top of the current trendy pop solutions offered, when we had success before no child left behind and standardized tests, when teachers and schools made their curriculum trailered to the student population. Some schools can work, there are some great models of excellence. But the resources and students aren’t equitable in community involvement and capacity. If they gave teachers in the lower scoring schools bonuses for hazard pay, that would help.
I left 7yrs ago, I retired as fast as I could (55). I have not regrets leaving. I was bound by confidentiality, but I came to believe it was just a way to cover up administrations mismanagement. I was lucky my first 8yrs, the next 5 was with an immature, alcoholic Karen. I had planned to leave but was asked to stay and help her transition. Yr 1 of 5 challenging but doable, yr 2-5 she arrived between 8:30-12 hungover and a b#tch. We lost all the hard won opportunities for our students because of her (school store, no homeroom, got board of education supervision due to her stubbornness, the list goes on. I transferred out of her room and was thrilled my last 2 yrs. Had I not transferred out I would have left on disability. Eventually she must have been forced into AA because she call me to do the step of confessing. After confessing, she said but and explained she was young (25-30) + more, AA isn’t going to work, cuz she ain’t working’ it.
I remember my first experience with 2 girls kissing in the hall, I just said PDAs aren’t acceptable school behavior, say it to girl/boy also. I asked the VP if my response was correct and he said “spot on.” I won’t lie. I believe you need to use the bathroom you were genetically assigned at birth or go too the nurses office. New schools can have unassigned gender bathrooms built into them for greater convenience. Same with sports, gender at birth. Locker rooms needed to be assigned by gender with set aside public bathrooms to accommodate those who identify differently. Girls bathrooms aren’t private enough to have anything other than those those assigned at birth as female. I promise you, 80+% don’t want to view a male private part in the girls locker room as a jock strap is slipped on to protect that part of their anatomy.
Otherwise, I agree with your issues of resource mismanagement. I agree that services aren’t given for any number of reasons. Without a Special Education and paraprofessional you can’t service the student/IEP appropriately. Everyone is so stressed out, child, adult and teacher it’s overwhelming and causes all 3 groups to end up with anxiety and depression.
You said a mouthful right there sir. I'm currently a substitute teacher in NYC and going for my certification in Elementary Education. I'm a little afraid for the future of education once I'm done with my certification classes
Very eloquent speech, right on point too.
This video should be forwarded to school districts…nationwide at this point!
You are so right about special education
SPED is a JOKE and a huge waste of money. I was an SLP in these classrooms and I was appalled on a daily basis.
He is preaching! Daggum “spitting!!!”
Appreciate you ❤
I hope you are writing books. You really have a gift.
The treatment of students...very well addressed. Great video!
How is this not at a million + views
Awesome 👏🏾 post! Thank you! 24 year old veteran teacher!
30 year retired teacher here. Teaching is hard. The skills you need to be a good teacher are hard won during the course of one’s career. All of the complaints I’ve heard on this and similar videos highlighting former teachers who quit the profession have been experienced by those of us who did not quit but stuck it out because we value the contributions we as teachers have to make to our students and the community that makes up our particular school district. If you find disruptive students, overbearing and unresponsive administrators, large classroom sizes, irresponsible parenting, lack of prep time plus other resources needed to do your job, all these things, reasons for quitting a profession with tremendous impact on your community, then, it may be that you were not qualified for the position from the get go. It is better to quit out right at the end of your first year than be a quiet quitter and hurt the reputation of the profession for which you clearly do not have the aptitude. Real teachers do not abandon their students and communities because it is hard. ( this of course, does not mean that we cannot complain, and strive to make things better).
Real teachers can't exist in this climate. Define real teacher. Abuse codependent?
Perhaps the first three or four years are what they’re supposed to be. But then after that social promotion rapidly undermines the program owing to the everybody goes to college imperative which has ruined industrial arts and secretarial training at the secondary level and which becomes increasingly distressing for kids with below average IQs who are clearly not going to either get in in the first place or else succeed in college if they do get a place at an open admissions institution. Then after flunking out of college they have no vocational skills owing to the false hope they were given even though they probably cannot read very well much less type a coherent essay. I wouldn’t even consider teaching again unless I was teaching one of the trades I mastered after quitting teaching such as deck seamanship in the merchant marine or barbering perhaps. And then of course I would be teaching young adults and not kids. My favorite class as a teacher was GED which is really adult equivalency tutoring. Although some of the students at Job Corps might come to class after smoking weed you just didn’t get the totally asinine nonsense that you typically do in secondary schools.
BEAUTIFUL! THANK YOU!
Agree with you 100 percent 😊could not have said it better ! You should write a book 😊
Beautiful, thank you!
I am from Poland and I have a feeling that we struggle with those same problems
Thank you. Well stated.
Well, it’s a good thing that you got out then. Best of luck in your next endeavor.
Go and teach in Asia where you are treated as a god. Teachers cannot function in our collapsing, dysfunctional systems and culture.
Sounds to me like homeschooling is the best option. Time to step up parents and students.
I get you, but the parents who do not parent their disruptive children, won't home school them either, and then that's what will be left in classrooms.
I'm a custodian at a "high scoring school" . Granted I don't know all the specifics but I agree with alot of this. It's all about $$$ for some reason. Yes tons of red tape.
As a custodian we see everything and if close to teachers. Where there outlet.
This is the best “why I’m quit teaching” video. Admin/district needs to watch this but they never will bc they might actually learn something. 😡
AMEN!
This was deep, thanx 4 this
Imho the sped program is a waste of resources. The sped program for elementary especially 4th grade and below is nothing more than a daycare or baby sitter’s job especially for DLC and autistic students. Lots of playing , snack, napping time incorporated in these program
Great video!
Did you get into acting?
Accurate. I don’t see racism/sexism because I’m in a super diverse city. But everything else…100%. It’s such a broken system. I’m exhausted.
The onus, which should be on the system, is being placed on the individual. Exactly. The higher you climb, the less responsibility you have to take lol. What a joke.
I love your first name♥️♥️! My beloved maternal grandmother who passed away in 2021 was named Miriam, and I have a very special affection for that name 🥰🥰
Christ what a nightmare profession it has turned into.
GOLD
This should be a Ted Talk.
Can you talk about Mtss
Guess who sits in on the appointment of school leadership in Australia?
I blame the school boards who are waging war against parents AND teachers. If you love teaching, open your own accredited school. Public schools are TOXIC. We need good affordable private schools. I'm lucky I was a private piano teacher. I could CHOOSE my students, and fire them if parents were mean.
Sounds like beaurocrats are in control. You could send them to Siberia and they would NEVER be missed.
Very well spoken
The problem in particular is heterosexual white men in positions of power? So if I'm heterosexual and white I'm no good? Isn't that sexist and racist? If I flipped that line and said the problem was gay black men in positions of power, what do you think the response would be? You were on point until that extremely idiotic line.
James, while I understand where you're coming from with your comment, I think it's all in the interpretation of what he said. I took it as 'mainly' heterosexual white men in positions of power are making the decisions for educators nowadays. Since I'm from Florida, I'm speaking specifically of DeSantis, our current governor, who is dictating 'what' and 'how' we can teach in a classroom. My father in law was a heterosexual white man, and the principal of a high school for 26 years, and one of the best men I knew. He always tried to do right by his staff and valued their opinions, but times have changed. I think Kevin would agree, that if you're a heterosexual white man and agreed with all that he said up until 'that point' in his video, then you could do the most good for the profession, because your word may be valued a little more. I'm not saying it's right, but it's the world we live in.
This just tells us that you just hear what you want to hear in till it goes against your own ideologies. He is just stating the facts of it. This is not about picking and choosing. If gay black men were in a position of power then we would have said the same about them. Overall the people in charge are not doing what needs to be done properly for the school system to function and excel.
Don't worry about defending, most are deaf to reality