Why I Quit My First Teaching Job

For everyone curious about what I’m doing now: I’ve just posted an update video on my channel a year later—and yes, I did get another teaching position! Thank you all for the supportive comments over the last twelve months and for the serious analysis you’ve provided of the school system. Talking about issues helps us move towards mending them. I wish you all the best!

More of these videos need to be made. The most frustrating part is how nothing is changing with the school system. I don't blame you one bit for quitting. Smart move.

Hearing this story from you has helped me so much. I too quit my first teaching job after only 4 months. It was was unbearable by the time I left. I had constant surveillance in person from other senior members of staff who felt like they were only there to find fault with me - despite being a newly qualified and having over 30+ students in one class at times. Honestly I decided for the sake of my mental health I had to leave. Glad to know others have gone through this and no I wasn’t crazy to do the same. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Your health and wellbeing is paramount as a teacher. I am a highschool teacher and I hear you on all these levels. The most important point you made is you "felt the students were treated as business, not as human" that is a HUGE warning sign that your intuition, your heart was telling you this was NOT the place for you or for any teacher that loves young people and cares for humanity. Follow your intuition, when you find a school that has "heart" you will know..I have found "heart" in 2 school's ad despite the tough times of being a teacher, that is the part that keeps you going. It fuels you :)

I'm shocked that something at this level would happen. I'm very glad that you made this video so that people could be aware about these kinds of things.

This is very helpful to me. This is my first year teaching and I am really considering quitting. The amount of stress that I am constantly under is not healthy. I've gotten sick 6 times this year due to the stress of the job. The behaviors are the most difficult to handle. No support from families or admin, at least none that changes the students behaviors. Like you said something along the lines of: "What I love got trampled on and I got trampled on." I feel the same way. That I try so hard but am not taken seriously. Your video is helping me realize that there is nothing wrong with me if I can't make it until the end of the year.

I don’t blame you for quitting. This is my first year teaching HS and coaching middle school cheerleading, and I just submitted a resignation 9 weeks in. While I don’t love my school/admins and feel lack of support, I would have stuck it out because it’s nothing as severe of your experience. However, I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. I’ve had over a dozen seizures since school started and had one in front of one of my classes. My stress is causing me to have more seizures, so I felt it was best to quit for my own health. I do hope I can get another teaching job in the future because right now, I’m not sure if they will release me from my contract. Thank you for sharing your experience!

I work at a school in Wisconsin. We had a new teacher right out of school come in and teach last school year. She was out within two months. She dipped. It was just not what she thought it was. Reasons like yours are the reason. Keep your head up. There are other jobs and options for you.

I honestly commend you for lasting as long as you did. First year teaching is stressful enough, and you don’t need that extra stress on you. The safety concerns really need to be addressed.

What a video! You are such a warm, caring, and kind person. I'm so glad you left that school - you definitely made the right decision. I hope your next teaching job goes better. It's very sad how you were treated. That school doesn't deserve to have teachers as devoted and caring as you. I wish you only the best in whatever you decide to do.

I watched your capsule wardrobe before subscribing and watching other videos (this one caught my eye). I TOTALLY understand where you are coming from. I do not blame you at all for leaving that place. My first teaching job - I was hired the week before school began, it was in a Special Education Day Class in a public high school (I was not qualified - I have an elementary credential, not secondary) so I was hired on an emergency credential. They also did not have ANY curriculum in place, so I was basically creating everything the students did on my own. It was very frustrating. I did finish the year, but I sure didn't stay. I have since found a job 30 minutes from my home, where I also had a rocky start with a big learning curve. I spent my first 2 years there thinking I wasn't cut out to be a teacher, and I should get out of teaching and find another career. But, I stuck it out, and learned a lot, and I've now been there 22 years. I'm so sorry to hear you went through this. I think you did the right thing by leaving. I wish you the best with your future. Don't let this experience discourage you from following your dreams, even if you choose to pursue something besides teaching!

Hi! I watched your video because I'm a former teacher but still like to hear about other teachers' experiences in education. I just wanted to say that you seem very sensitive and caring (which I mean as a compliment). I'm very sensitive too and ultimately was burned out by teaching. I've noticed that the education field attracts sensitive types like us because we care and genuinely want to make a difference. But teaching can also be a very harsh experience for us. I've definitely taken a blow to my confidence since going through teaching (I taught for 4 years). I like what you said about the administration being strong but not good. That's something I never considered, but that perfectly explains my experience with some admin and even a boss from a different job I had years ago. These people are definitely experts, but are not very kind, considerate or, in some cases, honest. I hope you are able to find a teaching environment that better suits your personality and brings you peace. ♥️♥️♥️♥️

At about 6:26, you had me screaming "you are my girl, that's what I'm talking about"...I've been in the same position and refuse to play that game with these poor children's educational future and lives. I feel you totally and have made the decision to throw in the towel, as well. The month of May will be my last, unless my hand is forced due to my not wanting to lose the sick days I haven't taken over the last 10 years. We'll see. May God bless you in your future endeavors.

When you said students help determine your pay, my jaw dropped. I am so, so sorry.

My first and only year of teaching was 5th grade in 1980. The kids were great, the principal was always interrupting over the intercom, other than that not too bad. I had my first child in April of that year and didn’t go back. It was such a relief I hadn’t realized how much teaching wasn’t for me. I’m so happy I got out and spent the next 30 years being a stay at home Mom of 5. Im astounded and saddened at what teachers have to put up with now. Very good explanation of your experience.

I was asked by a principal why half my class was flunking. The reality was that over 50% could have cared less about the work. It was somehow my fault. That is teaching in a nutshell. If you are in college studying to be a teacher, find another major NOW!!!!!! Do not under any circumstances be a teacher now. Let the system crumble!

Don’t give up on teaching. I too had similar experiences like yours working in a charter school. I resigned and got a teaching opportunity at another school/district and I LOVE it ❤️ !! It’s all about administration and how they treat their teachers. Not all schools/admin treat their teachers the same.

I have watched tons of these teacher-quitting videos because I have so much compassion for you all. One thread I always hear is guilt. Someone is instilling guilt in all of you. Maybe they keep teachers on the job by making them feel too guilty to quit? I never see videos about other professions that are so filled with guilt and pain. I never hear about other professions where the staff is so unsupported. The school system is broken but the teachers are made to believe it is their fault. I wish complete healing and happiness for you and all those who have gone through this dysfunctional situation.

As someone who is currently struggling with the guilt of quitting a job, I admire your courage for doing what was best for you and following through!

Thank you for sharing this.. Do not feel your quitting as a weakness, I think it is a very strong decision. You have made the choice to stand up for yourself. Good on you. Teaching is a very demanding job and teachers should get much more support. I do think that a different school could make a world of difference though. I find my own job taxing but do enjoy the interactions with my students. So maybe you will find a school with more freedom and creativity with more personal interest. Best of luck and thank you for sharing, if more people would do this, maybe things can change.. Without people like you sharing these experiences, nothing will.