Why I Quit Being A Teacher in Chicago

[rhynosouris]

My brother quit teaching after 3 years & enlisted in the Marines. He said Iraq was more peaceful.

[coletteday]

In September 2017, I quit my teaching career for the EXACT same reasons. After 15 years in, I kept being told to stick it out for the retirement. I no longer wanted to be apart of a system that fails kids, fails good Teachers and that I couldn't change. I'm a middle aged white woman so don't take not having your voice heard personal. The whole system/process is demoralizing.
Much happiness!

[diyapia]

Taught in Asia for 16 years....it was heaven....2 years in the U.S. now...total hell....

[junieb.]

Teaching is nothing like people believe it is. It’s so much harder!!!

[PatriciaJonesLJ]

It's not just Chicago it's every where every day. You can only do so much.

[serene]

As a black child raised in the NYC Public School system, we need more people like you. 💜

[pedinurse]

You have to be able to survive emotionally, that's why I LEFT THE NURSING PROFESSION

[kcdav]

I’m not an educator (auditor) but I can relate to waking up being so frustrated and not wanting to go to work. Like you, I’m a black man who graduated in the 00’s, with high expectations on changing society after college. One thing I’ve learned as I just turned 30 is there is no monetary value for a peace of mind. Blessing bro!

[jasminejoseph]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is truly unfortunate that you're not in classroom anymore. Our kids need to see Male role models like yourself in front of them everyday. But you're absolutely right. It's a systemic issue that runs back several generations. There needs to be true reform from within our communities to change the structure of our schools. I pray that you find your way back to education some how (doesn't have to be in the classroom) because your voice is so desperately needed.

[phillipg]

First year teacher here at an alternative school and it’ll likely be my last year as well. Everyone says they need black male teachers but most black men are not going to endure all the things that come with being a teacher (low pay, buying your own supplies, being the “enforcer”) all in the name of being some positive role model mascot. Education in America is nothing but big business at the expense of low income children.

[uppercut]

I felt this so hard. I currently teach at a majority black & latino school in Houston and it's just...ugh. I came to make a difference in a school that needs teachers who care, but the system makes it impossible for me to do my job. My administrators don't know what works and what doesn't, and when I try to do what works, they reprimand me. And when I point out how they're wrong, they just get even madder LOL. So like, I'm moving to Sweden where I feel like I can teach AND be happy. It breaks my heart to leave my kids here in Houston behind, but it's like you said, the system is so messed up you don't even wanna be a part of it anymore because you know you can't make a difference no matter how badly you want to.

[sararossett]

There needs to be more support for new teachers; too often it's sink or swim for rookies. I'm glad you found a career that makes you happy. Stay blessed!😉

[exotictrini]

I am not a teacher but I do work in the public school system as a sub paraprofessional in Brooklyn, NY & it is absolutely draining..I have experienced disrespect from teachers, administration, parents as well as the students because they pick up on how the adults treat us..And these schools DO NOT cater to the needs of the kids

[PlayMathGrow]

This spoke to my soul! Teaching in an urban setting is stressful as a black educator because we see first hand how the system is and will continue failing students.

[GameSports]

I taught for 17 years in the Detroit Public it but the kids were bad as hell lol.

[isaacpowell]

How about the responsibility of the parents. If they are even have any at home. Because as a young black boy I didn't. Dad was absent and mom wasn't home when I woke up.

[emmanuelallen]

I took my talents overseas to teach in education. It was one of the best decisions i ever made. I recommend any teacher to teach abroad. I'm from Chicago

[Testimony]

Same problem everywhere young man. The solution starts from our hearts, homes, and our own communities.

[djb]

That is why the system is broken: courageous people like you quit and cowardly people stay, and then get promoted.

[HA-otev]

I definitely can relate to your story. Until I stepped into a public school classroom as a teacher. I never in my widest stretch of imagination thought that any environment could be that chaotic. Some public schools are messy and chaotic and learning do not take place. I hated the job and prayed for deliverance everyday. One thing I did not do was walk out on the kids. I stayed until the end and got a non renewal because I told the administrators that the things in place were not working to manage kids’ behavior issues. The school cannot keep teachers beyond the first year. It is sad, so many kids are left behind in the public school system. I am a happy assistant professor and do not have to deal with behavior problems in my classroom at this point. The non renewal was a blessing!