School’s Out for the Summer and Many Teachers Are Calling It Quits

During the past two years, teachers have faced hardships and challenges, navigating through unknowns and sudden changes.

The stressors, including online learning and keeping Covid safety protocols, has caused many teachers to leave their jobs in search of less demanding jobs. Teachers like Wendy Grider feel “helpless,” unable to meet all the demands that students and their situations are requiring, especially in the return to in-person learning. Adapting back to the classroom has been a struggle for students, and teachers have had to carry that burden. Some teachers who have resigned over the past two years find other programs to pursue new learning opportunities or more manageable jobs. However, when a teacher resigns, the work “piles up on those who stay,” overworking them and worsening the cycle of quitting teachers.