Thread by @SKellerDrew

I don’t owe anyone an explanation of why my last day teaching is October 7th. But I do want people to be aware of problems other teachers might be facing… First off, I’ve been incredibly blessed to be at my school over the last 3 1/4 years. I’ve navigated some VERY challenging

times. Additionally, I’ve had the challenge of teaching 2 subjects, be the site AD, and coach nearly nonstop since our ms opened in the fall of 2019. I’ve been team lead for 7th grade and on various committees. Basically I’ve poured everything I have into the growth of this

school and my students and athletes. I’ve spent more time with some of my multi-sport student athletes than my own family for 9 months out of the year. I signed up for this though. I signed up for my crappy salary and my crappy coaching stipends. I chose all this.

I also chose to sink more and more time being a great teacher. I wanted my students to not just learn about the world but to experience the best we could. I taught them more so about life and how to love, respect and value themselves. We even had the highest benchmark scores

for the area. I’m proud for all we’ve accomplished as people over my time here. I know I’m a better person because of this journey.

But I’m not ok.

I have poured everything into my teaching and coaching and I have nothing left. My wife and daughter are getting my leftovers and that isn’t ok anymore. What the students and athletes get out my time with them is the bottom dollar. That’s my investment.

But I’m not getting the returns on my investment. Not enough to give up my time and earnings anyway. My students and athletes have become largely apathetic. I’ve had more and more kids quitting teams and not showing to practices. My classroom, a place of learning and pride,

has become just another meet up spot for students to hang. I can’t provide them with the same education I have previously because of their apathy. I haven’t lost control, but there’s just nothing that captures their attention, curiosity and wonder. So they are just wanting

to constantly be entertained. The students, the ones I do this for, have just drained me of my passion to do it. There’s many teachers and coaches I’ve talked to that are equally not ok. Teachers and coaches are taking abuse. (Not all.) But something has to give.

There’s much discussion on what to do. But for the love… please do something before there’s more people like me. #oklaed