Put me down as another teacher retiring because of COVID-19

[teach1st]

Put me down as another teacher retiring because of COVID-19. The upcoming school year was going to be my last, and I was honored to be able to go with last year's class to their next grade this coming year. I would have been with them for two years. By any objective measure, it is a tough class: Autistic, ODD, four diagnosed ADDH. But I love them, and I really looked forward to being with them again. We made great gains last year, both academically and socially, and as any teacher knows, the tough classes can be the most rewarding.

But I teach in Florida, a state controlled by Republicans who see putting kids in school as an economic and campaign issue, not as an ill-advised safety issue. At my age, I'm in an at-risk group. I don't see a safe way for me to be in a classroom with students, and I had no guarantees that I could teach virtual. I applied for retirement last week. It was hard for me to say goodbye to the kids and parents, especially via posts and a video on our Class Dojo, not in person. It was hard to say goodby to my career when I wasn't ready.

[Phoenix61]

1. I was employed for 7 days as a counselor.

I was hired I June and thought, we’ll see what happens and if it gets bad they won’t open the schools. Nope, so I resigned. Not worth it.

I wonder how many in the DROP program are going to go ahead and retire. We are a lot here and I can’t imagine all of them are going to teach.

[teach1st]

4. Many of the teachers I know

Many of the teachers in my Facebook circles are figuring out how to leave.

[BamaRefugee]

2. You're doing the right thing. Better than saying goodbye to family "when I wasn't ready".

[teach1st]

5. You're right

Most of the parents of my students were understanding and told me the same thing.

[Sancho]

3. My wife won't go back...41 years as a teacher, and after March 13, 2020 she is done...

...and we are in Florida. She was the music teacher.

It's too dangerous, DeSantan is crazy, and she is done. I'm continuing, so I can keep us both under health insurance.

[niyad]

15. On a different note, I just saw your sig pic. Sooooo glad I had put down my drink!

[bobnicewander]

6. You are doing the right thing

I am going to be 80 on my next birthday. I went to public school for the first 3 grades. I still remember the names and faces of my teachers in those 3 grades. Such is the impact teachers can have on those entrusted to their care and teaching. Bless you all. I hope you all are kept or made safe through these times.

[ucralum]

13. Thank you...

what a lovely post! I retired in 2017 after 34 years; I don't envy anyone trying to figure out what to do in the midst of this mess.

[Brainstormy]

7. thank you for your service

But you're doing the smart thing.

[AllyCat]

8. This makes me so sad. Totally understand.

Thank you for your years of providing compassionate, quality education for our kids.

[tazkcmo]

9. Good for you.

And thank you for your time, service and heart. I was a weird child because I really, really, really liked school. It was because of the teachers I had.

To all the teachers here on DU, thank you, thank you, thank you!

[iluvtennis]

10. You made the right decision. Until there is detailed plan for how safety of kids, teachers,

custodians, office staff, etc will be handled, all schooling should be virtual.

My kids aren't school aged anymore, but if they were, I would be keeping them home for the upciming school semester. I'd rather they be safe/alive at home and graduate a year later.

Enjoy your upcoming retirement.

[ffr]

11. We had to let several employees go due to Covid 19

But don't feel too sad about it. They were impeached tRump supporters. I bet they didn't realize a vote could so profoundly effect their wage earning abilities.

[grantcart]

12. Please write a letter to your city newspaper

[BigmanPigman]

14. Smart move...you won't be sorry either.

I wish other teachers had the opportunity you have. A DU teacher wrote a post last night that her red area district is making her go back but she is a few years short of retirement.

I would take a leave of absence if my contract allowed it.

[Dem2theMax]

16. This breaks my heart, for you and for all those kids.

Every teacher is special. But when you are teaching special-needs kids, you've got a bit of 'extra special' in you.

I see this as a loss for all of you. And I'm so angry because this didn't have to happen. If only we had real leaders, competent and compassionate people, running this country.

You absolutely made the right decision. I'm just so sorry you had to make it.

To all of the teachers in our lives, thank you!

[pazzyanne]

17. Give yourself the credit you deserve for protecting yourself!

Too many people make personal decisions based on guilt. Your decision is sane and in your best interest. You only have one life. Protect it.

[SWBTATTReg]

18. A shame but I think you're being smart, you must think of yourself and yours, top priority. ...

Especially since the state is not watching out for you, or the kids for that matter either (and all of the other workers too). These are dangerous times for all.

[warmfeet]

19. I applaud your action.

You are saving us all.

[patphil]

20. Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs, and one of the most under appreciated.

It's a very tough, and very rewarding career.
That said, you've made the right choice. I really hope DeSantis relents, but I doubt he has enough concern for the kids and their teachers to do so.
GOP = Greed Over People.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

21. You could be saving kids lives too

If enough teachers do the right thing, like you did, it might force them to abandon the idea of opening the schools, or at least limit it some. We all know deep down that it just doesn’t make sense to open the schools.

[kimbutgar]

22. I substitute teacher and now I have to look for another part time job

I feel really uncomfortable going into a class while even MF45 is president and we need leadership to control this pandemic. And we don’t have it under mf45.

[extvbroadcaster]

23. I retired too

July 31 is my end date. I work at a college, and I also had no guarantee they would start online. They say they are doing face to face. I don't know how that works, it looks like a recipe for disaster. And with the mask rule, how can you interact with students and co-workers much? It seems like it will be masks all over until you are back in your office. I am 61 and that is close enough, I put in notice of retirement. I am glad I did, as at my age I am in a risk group. And I figured my pension won't do me any good when I am in my grave from COVID. I'm taking the money and running.

[BlueIdaho]

24. As a retired classroom instructor with 31 years of experience let me say...

Thank you for your service. It was the previous epidemic of gunman in classrooms that finally forced me into retirement.

[PJMcK]

25. Good decision

Although your deep feelings are clear in your post, You've made the best decision for yourself, teach1st. You cannot do anything for anyone else if you're sick or dead. Taking care of ourselves has to be our priority.

My wife is also a teacher and although she finished the Spring semester through Zoom classes, she's decided she won't go back in the Fall. First, it's too dangerous since we're over 60. Second, virtual teaching is not particularly effective. Third, virtual teaching is not very satisfying.

These are difficult and disappointing decisions to have to make.

[CreekDog]

26. if teachers refuse to go back in unsafe conditions, the schools likely can't open

or they certainly cant open at full attendance.

it would be a huge benefit to the county, and sacrifice of the teachers, if teachers en masse, refused to work at schools that aren't safe because of lack of safety measures and/or in areas in the midst of an outbreak.

the crazy part is that if they open the schools unsafely, they'll undoubtedly close again because of spiking cases among students and staff.

i'm glad you can retire, protect your health, it comes first. there's no point in dying for the wrong cause, better to be here to fight for the right one!