Ten out of ten times when I tell people I left the classroom, in 2022, they go, “ohhhhhhh, COVID.” Bruhh, I knew I would leave teaching the moment I started training. Like most people with the heart of a teacher, my bullshit meter is highly calibrated, and you can smell the dysfunction across America. It especially chokes you in the classroom. The truth of the matter is I didn’t leave the classroom because of COVID; I left the classroom because THE CURRENT PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEMS SUCKS…donkey teeth. “You can’t say that,” “Don’t you love the kids,” “But they need you.” I wish this was just random people, but teachers, yes teachers, will also be the first ones to say it to you. The fact of the matter is public education is broken.
There is a reason they say “those who can’t; teach.” But can’t what? I was a damn good teacher; my growth and proficiency scores were terrific. In my five years, I went from being a novice teacher to co-writing the curriculum for my district and coaching secondary teachers virtually for nothing more than a lil $2500 stipend. No, it’s not that they can’t teach. Although most teachers can’t and don’t teach to meet 21st-century learning needs or close even the slightest opportunity gap, that’s another story. Teacher friends notice, I said “most,” not YOU. Teachers CAN see the boots on their neck, worn by an incompetent administration in constant flux. Teachers CAN see their students get worse and worse every school year. Teachers CAN see their pay compared to other professionals with the same educational training sprint past them economically. Teachers CAN see and do see a lot of inequity, opportunity, and, again bullshit. They’ll wear a red T-shirt, talk smack in the break room, or on a podium in front of the school board. But they CAN’T start shit. Oh, they’ll finish it in a heartbeat. I think “Sit down” using a teacher’s voice could end wars. Teachers reason to make waves causes instability, which we just can’t do to the kids and families. Teachers are just too busy grading papers, doing PD’s, and change is going to come. To willingly cause chaos goes against everything in our little teacher hearts.
I was raised a little rough, so chaos brings me a lot of comfort. I don’t mind making a mess if it means it’ll be better once the pieces are put back together. I got in trouble constantly while teaching, so much so I was asked more than once, “do you think this profession is for you.” I hated teacher pleasantries and the sunshine committee, “Nah, I’m good.” Birthday cards, “for what she isn’t on my team, I barely know her,” not to mention they always forgot mine, lol. I hated the way we were handling family nights, “excuse me, principal, can I plan the next one because our turnout was terrible.” When told I couldn’t fail a kid for not doing work and I made three phone calls home and modified the assignments, I would submit all 60/200+ students F’s, finalize it, and tell the principal if you want it changed, you can go in the grade book and change it. By the way, despite failing a good chunk of students, I still achieved over 90% proficiency every year. Grades in public schools too often merely measure completion. My kids participated and knew it’s okay to be wrong today, but tomorrow we have to be better than yesterday…they just never turned anything in.
All of that to say, I am a problem solver. Education resists being solved, but not just resists; Sparta kicks you in the chest if you even say, “I think.” I got tired of being called a pessimist, a problem, and a bully. I always laugh when I picture myself at a river with a horse trying to force it to drink. I couldn’t sit in a place that’s holier than thou and, at the same time, a Cookout parking lot at 1 am (If you live in the South, you know what I am talking about). If you left, it does not mean that you are weak, can’t hack it, didn’t have it, are selfish, or any less of a teacher. If you stayed, it doesn’t make you a saint, or stupid, or any better of a teacher. Let me say this; even firefighters eventually just let it burn.
Classroom to Corporate 