My teacher friend is close to quitting the profession

I’m an English teacher at a university. Today I met with one of my best friends from high school, who’s also an English teacher. We went to high school together, and both of us became English teachers. We’ve remained friends and meet up every 2 months to share stories and discuss teaching and life.<br><br>My friend has been an English teacher at an elementary school for over 10 years. She’s an amazing teacher and is loved by all. But during our conversation today, I could sense her frustration and sadness. Her school has been facing a lot of challenges lately, from budget cuts to increased workloads. Despite this, she’s always tried to make the best of it and deliver the best education she can.<br><br>During our conversation, she brought up a colleague who’s been struggling with her mental health. This colleague has been an English teacher at the same school for over 20 years, and she’s always been a dedicated and compassionate teacher. However, lately, she’s been showing signs of burnout and depression. My friend mentioned that this colleague is considering quitting teaching altogether, not because she wants to, but because she feels forced to.<br><br>My friend and I discussed the reasons behind our colleague’s decision. We talked about how the education system has been putting an enormous amount of pressure on teachers. There’s the ever-increasing workload, the lack of support for teachers, and the unreasonable expectations from school principals and administrators. My friend shared instances where the school administrators have been making unreasonable demands, such as forcing teachers to take on more classes, expecting them to work longer hours without compensation, and constantly criticizing them for not meeting certain standards.<br><br>As we talked more, I realized that our colleague’s situation was not an isolated case. Many teachers are facing similar challenges, and it’s taking a toll on their mental health. My friend shared that she’s also been considering quitting due to burnout and feeling undervalued. She mentioned feeling like she’s stuck in a never-ending cycle of teaching, grading papers, and meeting expectations. Her passion for teaching has been dwindling, and she’s starting to question whether she can continue with this profession.<br><br>My friend’s words struck a chord with me. I’ve been an English teacher for a relatively short period of time, but I’ve already seen how the system can wear you down. I’ve heard stories from senior teachers about how they’ve been complaining about the same issues for years, but nothing ever changes. I can see how frustrating this must be for my friend, who’s been in this profession for over a decade.<br><br>I listened attentively as my friend shared her struggles. I acknowledged her feelings and expressed support. I told her that I understand why she’s considering quitting, and that I’d support her whatever decision she makes. I reminded her that her health and well-being is crucial, and that she shouldn’t sacrifice them for the sake of teaching. We talked about other job opportunities and how she could transfer her skills into other roles. I reassured her that she’s not alone and that I’m here to support her through this difficult time.<br><br>Our meeting ended with a sense of empathy and understanding. I realized that burnout is a real issue for many teachers. The education system needs to change and create a more supportive environment for teachers. Until then, teachers like my friend and our colleague are at risk of losing their passion for teaching.