Educators: Why Are You Thinking of Leaving the Field?

# Educators: Why Are You Thinking of Leaving the Field?

EdSurge, a leading education technology publication, is actively soliciting stories from teachers and school leaders who have exited or are planning to exit the teaching profession. The effort reflects ongoing national concern about educator attrition, a crisis that has reshaped staffing across U.S. public and private schools over the past three years.

Teacher turnover has accelerated since 2020. Data from the Learning Policy Institute shows that approximately 300,000 educators left classrooms annually between 2020 and 2022, nearly double the pre-pandemic rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the education sector shed 88,000 jobs in 2022 alone, concentrated among classroom teachers and instructional support staff.

Educators cite multiple reasons for leaving: stagnant wages, pandemic-related burnout, increases in classroom violence and behavioral challenges, lack of autonomy over curriculum and discipline policies, and insufficient mental health support. In surveys by Learning Policy Institute and the RAND Corporation, compensation ranked as the top driver of departures. Teachers earning $40,000 to $50,000 annually in many states report struggling to afford housing, childcare, and basic living expenses.

Administrative pressure compounds dissatisfaction. Teachers describe mounting scrutiny over test scores, curriculum choices, and lesson content alongside demands from parents and local politicians. The National Education Association found that 55 percent of educators reported considering leaving the profession in 2022, up from prior years.

By requesting firsthand accounts, EdSurge aims to build a reporter-driven investigation that goes beyond survey data. The publication seeks narratives that capture why specific educators made the decision to transition into different fields. These stories inform policymakers, school districts, and education schools about retention barriers and help identify what might reverse the exodus.

The effort acknowledges that educator