The script needs to change. There is no shortage of teachers. There is a shortage of teachers who can meet the demands of the profession.

There are hundreds, thousands of former teachers in our districts and states, millions in the country. I am one of them. I have over 20 years experience, deep in the trenches. I loved teaching. If it was just the teaching, most of us wouldn’t have left. But the job is – at best – daunting and all consuming, and, at worst – is a killer.

I flamed out during the COVID pandemic – many of us did. I won’t bore you with the specifics, I’m sure you’ve heard it all before. What’s important to know is that before I finally gave up and chose my life, health and family over my career, I asked for help. I pleaded for support, begged to go down to part time, do a job share, anything other than leave. Bottom line, do it or don’t. The kids will suffer.

If you aren’t working a full-time teaching position, you aren’t making a living wage, bottom line. I work as an ed tech in the same program, same school hours, similar tasks, same kiddos. I just no longer have to do the 20 to 30 hours of at-home work per week. It only cost me 70 percent of my income.

Very few of us left because we didn’t like being teachers. For some of us, leaving is one of the worst things we’ve ever had to do.

Stephanie Jackson
Biddeford