Being a teacher just keeps getting worse and worse as a job. It was bad enough when the worst parts of the job were standardized testing, and that you were pai

Being a teacher just keeps getting worse and worse as a job. It was bad enough when the worst parts of the job were standardized testing, and that you were paid little and had to spend your own money on school supplies for your classroom. Then it got worse when school shootings became so commonplace that bulletproof backpacks and active shooter drills became a thing. Of course you still have to pay for your own school supplies, but now you also have to pay for body armor, ammo for target practice, and therapy. Now there's covid, and it's more of a shitshow than it's ever been. Inability to find substitutes. Bus driver shortages. Staff shortages. Faculty shortages. Even though there's a vaccine, there's no mandates for vaccination. Here's a running tally of educators and staff in Georgia who have died since July [1]. The average age of 42 teachers on this list who have died is 46 years old. FORTY SIX! The youngest was in their 20s! And then on top of it all, if you think that maybe your workplace is dangerous for you as your colleagues drop dead around you, and you'd prefer to teach from home or at least offer some protections at work, then you are called lazy and unamerican by parents in your district. If you hold the opinion that there should be a vaccine mandate at your workplace you are called a Nazi. Meanwhile, legislators are working to pass laws empowering students to sue you personally (for an amount which is maybe 25-30% of your annual salary) if they feel what you're teaching goes against their religious beliefs [2]. You have a moral panic over Critical Race Theory which has metastasized into rumblings about book burnings [3], and moral busybodies combing their way through your library... Yeah, it's no wonder teachers are leaving and it's hard to find replacements. [1] https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/60-georgia-teachers-staff-lost-covid-19-since-start-school-year/SFURXQOXAJH25E3VGVZGTEU3HI/ https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/60-georgia-teachers... [2] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/oklahoma-bill-religion-rob-standridge-b2007505.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politic... [3] https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/book-burnings-1933-2022/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/book-burnings-1933-2022/