End-of-year reflections reveal both burnout and resolve.

As the end of the 2024-2025 school year draws to a close, teachers share their reflections. 

  • “It’s been 10 years as a teacher and I don’t know if I can keep doing this anymore. The educational landscape has shifted so dramatically that I barely recognize it. … I honestly feel heartbroken by what I see. They give up the moment things get hard. They copy whatever Google or AI tells them without truly thinking for themselves. There’s little curiosity, little critical thinking. … It’s not the admin. It’s not the staff. It’s not even the kids entirely. It’s the larger culture we have created, one where school is seen as the enemy, where some parents would rather see my school burn down over a decades old grudge or some politicized rumor. I wanted to believe in the power of education to uplift and inspire. But these days I just feel tired and unsure if I belong in this profession anymore.” —Teacher in Nevada
    • “Been at it almost 20 years. I took this job because I wanted to make the world a better place. Clearly, we do not stand a chance against those with the opposing agenda. Our salary is not a reflection of our value. It is a reflection of how much we are valued by our society. Friday is my last day. I don’t even have another job yet. I’m done. “ —High School Teacher in Kansas
    • “I love my work and have great kids but yes. I’m feeling the same way. Yesterday I got my first AI generated ‘excuse’ email. It sounded like a lawyer wrote it. So I’m getting AI generated excuses for not turning AI generated work on time. Maybe I’ll start having AI grade for me just to close the loop.” —High School Teacher
  • “This is my second career. I did web design before this for ten years. I never had a client or coworker tell me I positively changed their life. Now I get that experience once or twice a year with a direct statement in person, or a note. I also know I am getting through to a chunk that doesn’t take the time to tell me. I make less and work harder, but it is all worth it in those moments.” —High School History Teacher
  • “I tell my students that some days the only reason I come in is for them. This year they told me I was the reason they came to school every day sometimes. My class meets every day, which is rare for high school now.” —High School Teacher in Virginia 
  • “A student I taught as a Junior last year came by to chat one last time before their last day of high school tomorrow and it was such a heartfelt, candid, and reflective conversion I found myself in tears after they left my office! Teaching is often a thankless job but when you get that one  student who really SEES you I can’t help but get emotional. I do love this job, even if it’s often ugly and messy.” —High School Teacher in New York
  • End of my first year. I grew 65 percent of my students. I count my first year a success, now to reflect and on to the next.” —Teacher in Texas
  • “The end of the year is a celebration, not just a conclusion. Every lesson, every laugh, every challenge brought you and your students here. Honor the journey.” —Educator in Colorado
  • “Speaking on trends everywhere, things are mostly getting worse. I hate to be doom and gloom and sound like an old man, but the students of today are utterly gripped by apathy. It’s been facilitated by cell phones, infinite scroll social media, and grading/promotion policies that basically teach students that you don’t have to do anything to pass/move on to the next grade. Every year, it is harder to get kids to care. That said, in this job, no matter where you work, you will have fleeting moments of unparalleled fulfilment. The act of making a student feel good about themself, in academic context or otherwise, is why we do this job. The question you’ll have to ask yourself occasionally is whether it’s a favorable exchange rate with all the other stuff you’ve got to deal with.” —Secondary Teacher