Teacher overburdened because colleagues are quitting

Q: I’m a high school teacher in Texas. Our classes are all in person, and we’ve only been teaching since early September. In that short time, three teachers have already quit. As background, we’re doing a crappy job with social distancing. We talk the talk, but kids are congregating around lockers and gathering when they get their grab-and-go lunches. And while, in theory, classes are capped to allow for social distancing, in reality my AP classes are huge. I’m talking 50 kids! This is because when teachers quit, they’re not replaced, and classes get combined. Oh, and have I mentioned I’m teaching the kids in front of me as well as the kids who are getting virtual instruction and “coming to class” via their computers? It’s so much.

Here’s the twist. The three teachers who quit did not do so because of COVID. These are all first-year teachers who are 22 or 23 years old and aren’t worried about their health. They’re quitting because, guess what, the job is hard! I’m at a good school, but the hiring pickings were slim this year, and none of the new teachers has ever had their own classroom before. We’ve all done what we can to help them with lesson planning and setting realistic expectations, but they talk to their friends in other professions who have more free time to just hang out, and who earn more money, and they get disillusioned.

Meanwhile, they’re lacking in skills. They don’t know how to manage even minor behavioral issues and, despite having mentor teachers, are totally overwhelmed. Anyway, like I said, three of them quit, and I’m afraid this is the tip of the iceberg. Usually October is the month when teachers lose their sh*t, so we’re ahead of schedule. The rest of us are now burdened with bigger classes and greater health risks from the resulting crowding. We already were putting in extra time to help
these new teachers make it, so it’s especially demoralizing that all that work was for nothing. And I could keep unofficially helping the others only to see them quit anyway! The teachers who left are gone, and as much as I judge them for shirking responsibility and breaking their contracts, I can’t do anything about it. This is now a “me” problem.

How can I keep myself going — and continue feeling motivated to help new and inexperienced colleagues, which I consider important? I’ve been a teacher for 24 years and typically enjoy mentoring, and I’m not going to quit mid-year, but I’m incredibly frustrated by this situation — not to mention scared — and ask myself every day, “Is it worth it to risk my life? Is it worth it to work somewhere that doesn’t take my safety seriously? Are the teachers who quit right away the smart ones?” Well, are they? What now?

A: I don’t blame you for being frustrated and scared. I also don’t blame you for resenting the teachers who bailed and left you in a difficult situation, particularly given the time you invested to help them adjust and succeed. But you’re right — they’re gone, that ship has sailed, and there’s no point wasting any more energy dissecting their skills or choices. If it helps, keep in mind that they lack your life experience and confidence, and they acted impulsively. I’m sure it was unsettling for
them, too. You have to feel pretty overwhelmed and hopeless to quit less than three weeks into a new job. They clearly have some growing and maturing to do, but that’s on them. Let’s keep the focus on you.

You have a few specific complaints. Your AP classes are enormous, for starters. You also have noted that students aren’t observing social distancing policies. You’re not only overworked, you feel unsafe and powerless. And you’re trying to meet the needs of kids learning virtually and on site, while also mentoring colleagues. You don’t mention whether you’ve shared your concerns with an administrator. If these students aren’t following the safety rules, what are the consequences? Who is
supposed to be enforcing these rules? It’s in the district’s interest to keep schools COVID-free, so ​talk to a district official if your school-based administrators blow off your concerns. If you’re a member of a union, reach out to a representative for guidance. The Texas American Federation of Teachers, for instance, launched an online tool for teachers to track COVID-19 cases and report unsafe working conditions. The union or your school district’s human resources department also could help you understand your rights when it comes to class sizes. I’m sure you won’t be the first educator to call with these concerns. And while you don’t want to quit, you might want to inquire about leave options if the answers to your questions are unsatisfactory.

As for assisting new teachers, I understand that it’s something you value, but focus on self-preservation right now. You can’t rescue anyone else if you’re drowning, so think about what supports you need, whether that’s clearer boundaries between work and home, a mental health therapist, or better personal protective equipment. Take whatever you can off your plate, including unofficially mentoring others. You can take on that role again when you’re on firmer ground.

As for whether those new teachers are the “smart” ones, you’ve been a teacher for 24 years. You have the perspective they lack, and I bet you’d be the first to say this year is an outlier. Only you can decide if you’re able to withstand this period of heightened risk and extra responsibilities, but I certainly wouldn’t quit without trying to improve your situation.​