Part 1: Why did I leave the classroom?

Part One:

I entered teaching full time straight out of undergrad, knowing it was not just a profession but a calling. For years, the classroom was what I prepared for. However, when I stepped away from teaching, I was suddenly exposed to an entirely new reality: corporate life. The transition was both overwhelming and eye-opening. I had to unlearn habits ingrained from years in education while also discovering that my skills, communication, adaptability and leadership, were not just useful but invaluable outside the classroom. I found confidence in my ability to thrive in a new space, and I did just that.

Teaching is often spoken about as a gift, a noble pursuit, and it absolutely is. It requires compassion, dedication, and an ever-evolving skill set. But it is also a profession that is frequently misunderstood by those who have never stood in a classroom, those who have not experienced the emotional, mental, and even physical toll it can take. When educators choose to step away, it is not an act of selfishness, it is often an act of self-preservation.

In today's society, being a teacher means far more than delivering lessons. It means navigating diverse family structures, economic disparities, and shifting perceptions of authority factors that shape the classroom long before a lesson begins. No amount of coursework or training can fully prepare a new teacher for the reality they will face. While some educators immerse themselves in the communities they serve to better advocate for equity, the reality is that true equity in education remains elusive.

With the ongoing changes to the Department of Education, it has become even more evident that the voices of educators, those working directly with students every day are being overshadowed. Teachers are navigating a whirlwind of competing priorities, yet the decisions shaping education often feel disconnected from the realities of the classroom. As policies shift, educators continue to give their best, striving to support students despite the growing challenges they face.

I left the classroom not because I no longer cared, but because self-preservation and personal development were paramount for me. It is easy to give your all to a career while abandoning yourself, especially if this is part of your personality. In doing so, I realized that my impact did not have to end with teaching, it could evolve, expand, and take new forms. And it has.