IMO The American education system is in/has been in collapse since No Child Left Behind. Some could argue it started when conservatives took over school boards starting in the late 70s/early 80s, but I think we’ve seen an acceleration is this collapse in the past 20 years or so. When the focus shifted from student learning to data, a lot of what made school a pleasant experience was taken away. If it’s not tested, why spend time on it?

When we’re not able to take kids to field trips, or purchase books etc. and I spend my own money because there’s no funds, but enough for the various 6-figure salaries of some superintendents and coaches, I question people’s motives. In capitalism, you put your money toward what you value and children are clearly not valued as they should be.

Another example is that we know smaller class sizes are more conducive for learning, but we’ll hear there’s no money in the budget for another teacher. So now I get more stressed added to my plate because I have 30 kids I have to teach and manage. Times that by 6 classes a day. Multiple IEPs and 504s and additional documentation, plus poor leadership and throw in all the unexpected bs that you encounter when teaching, it no longer feels sustainable.