Staff shortages. Illness. Student behavior that is more challenging than ever. We all know the reasons why this has been one of the toughest teaching years ever—and now we’re seeing the consequences, in the form of educators quitting mid-year. No teacher wants to leave their students in the middle of the year, but with little support from administration and parents, many colleagues are left feeling like they have no choice.
Recently, there’s been a flood of #quittingteaching videos on TikTok, and users there are sharing the powerful reasons why they feel driven out. It’s a trend we have no choice but to pay attention to, or students will return from Thanksgiving and winter break to empty classrooms. Unfortunately, it’s not a problem with easy solutions either—teachers need more support, more planning time, and more money, and all of that will only come with a serious reevaluation of schools.
Listen in as TikTok teachers share their stories:
“For years, my life, money, and time revolved around my students.”
@findinghappiness14 Saying goodbye to teaching 💔 #teaching #teacherburnout #careerchange #education #fyp #iquit #quitteaching #quittingteaching #teachertok #teachers #teach #employeeappreciation #quittingstory #toxicworkplace #storytime #ThatCloseMessenger #IDeserveTuitionContest
“I feel so guilty and like a failure.”
@dani_annie_fo_fannie I did it #teachersoftiktok #teacherburnout #quitting
“This is the most difficult decision I’ve ever made.”
@teacherinreallife
“I don’t even know where to start.”
@vivaciousgee Year 5 and took me out. #iquitteaching #leavingteaching #teachersoftiktok #mymentalhealthmatters #gaslighting #123PandoraME #TakeTheDayOffChallenge
“We had a lockdown every year.”
@bethphilemon Reply to @danigiggs on #leavingteaching for a reason I don’t often discuss – I see you and encourage all to seek therapy on these experiences
“The stress is unbelievable.”
@chgarrett #teacherquits #bekindtoteachers Note: I resigned before school started. Students were supportive of my choice #mentalhealthmatters
“My hair got ripped out by a student.”
@ash_leahh most of all: the rewarding feeling and love I have for my students was outweighed by the constant abuse that was looked at as “just part of the job” #teacherquittok #teacherquitting #sped #leavingteaching #specialeducationteacher #educationtiktok #goodbyeteaching #specialeducation
“$1,100 is what I was making after taxes.”
@mividamahalia Details behind why I left my teaching job in the middle of the school year#teachersoftiktok
“I went through such a mental health scare because I realized that there were some unethical things happening in the system I was working for.”
@themindfulteacher1 From a teacher who quit and came back #teacher
“The lawmakers who don’t support education … the school board members who don’t come into a classroom. The district administrators … the parents who are against teachers.”
@jason_whiting72 The most common question I am asked about resigning from teaching is “why”? I was just reminded. #teacher #teachersoftiktok #teacherresignation #education #whyiquit #resigned #teacherlife #teachertok #teacherfyp #formerteacher #teachersontiktok #thegreatresignation #brokensystem #educationtiktok #educationreform
We’d love to hear—have you had teachers leave your school or district? Would you ever share your quitting story on TikTok? Please share in the comments.
Plus, meet four teachers whose resignation letters went viral.
