Reflections of a Former Teacher

A Bittersweet Goodbye

The Goodbye My School Prepared For Me. Photo by Text by Tasha.

“Ms.Tasha, you’re leaving? Please don’t leave.” — A former student

I always encouraged my students to reflect in the classroom, and now, it is my turn to reflect. Gulp.

I’ve said goodbye to a lot this year.

I recently left my full-time teaching job to experience new growth and explore different opportunities.

Why I Left

“You’re a good teacher, that’s why we gave you more classes. Take that as a compliment.” In the same conversation, I was told, “Don’t fight for your rights. I don’t like teachers who fight for their rights. They’re so ungrateful.”

Yikes. Did I put up with that?

I did.

For a long time.

Looking back at the wild ride that was my teaching career, I was:

• Burned out
• Stressed
• Overworked
• Underappreciated

The pressure became too much. The expectations kept piling on.

The strain was taking a toll on my mental and physical health and my ability to be present with my loved ones — or myself for that matter — deteriorated.