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Ex-Kindergarten Teacher Lists 5 Reasons Why She Quit Her Job, Gets 263K Likes
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Ex-Kindergarten Teacher Lists 5 Reasons Why She Quit Her Job, Gets 263K Likes

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It takes guts to quit your job. But leaving behind your whole profession? Impossible without an overwhelming combination of soul-searching and disappointment. Recently, Jessica Gentry, 34, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, quit being a kindergarten teacher at Stone Spring Elementary School. Now, sick and tired of all the people assuming she did it for lousy pay, Jessica penned an emotional Facebook rant revealing the true reasons behind her difficult decision. And money wasn’t even on the list. Her sincere words have already received over 263K reactions and 800 comments, many of which are actively supporting Gentry and the new route she’s taking.

More info: Facebook

RELATED:

    Jessica Gentry, a former kindergarten teacher, said she loves children, but that wasn’t enough for her to stay in the job she’s had for the last 12 years

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    “There were a few major events that spurred my departure. I hold teaching in such high regard that watching my most recent administration laugh about students with disabilities, state that we ‘shouldn’t lose sleep over’ struggling students, say that she [a school administrator] ‘washed her hands of this year’ in April was disheartening to say the least,” Gentry told Good Morning America.

    Speaking to WHSV, Michael Richards, the Superintendent of Harrisonburg City Public Schools, made the following statement:

    “I would take issue with the notion that teachers are leaving the profession “like their hair’s on fire.” Ms. Gentry may have her own reasons for making that assertion. Teaching is the noblest profession in the world, and the vast majority of teachers are dedicated to the vital work of empowering the next generation. Teaching is definitely a very challenging profession, and it is not for everyone. It requires longer hours than most people believe it does, and it presents multifaceted challenges that blend social and intellectual skills. Some of Ms Gentry’s concerns are entirely valid. For instance, it is imperative that we provide teachers with adequate planning and collaboration time and that we do not pull them away from instructional time. It is imperative that we help students develop strong social skills, especially as society turns increasingly toward device-driven communication. At the same time, we need to empower students to use technology to enrich their learning and develop real-world skills. It is important that we support teachers in developing productive partnerships with parents. Many of Ms. Gentry’s concerns have been squarely on my radar for some time. I have plans to address these and other concerns here in Harrisonburg, where I started as superintendent only a month ago. Too often teachers feel that no one really understands their concerns and that solutions are imposed on them. I plan to partner with teachers so that I am aware of their concerns and they have a voice in the solutions.”

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    Jessica’s post has already received over 263K reactions

    “There is an enormous amount of educators who feel that exact way but have felt alone and guilty for thinking so,” she said. ” I never expected it to reach farther than a few friends — but I am so humbled to be able to throw the curtains open on the issue and give those who feel unable to say it a voice.”

    She hopes that her post can start some kind of change.

    “I’d love nothing more than to do work with those willing to listen to change the current path our public education system is headed down. I promised my coworkers when I left that I’d be the voice for them since so many fear being reprimanded for speaking up,” she said.

    And people are supporting her brave decision

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    Read less »

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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    Miklós Nagy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice. Whenever I say that children needs actual parenting and some discipline I am downvoted to the abyss...

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll catch he** for this, but there's a difference between parenting selfishly and *actually parenting*. The apps, the tech, etc., are to free up the time of the *parents*... IMHO. OK, downvote away!

    Lu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Leo I totally agree - yes times have changed, but it's not like us parents are "fixed" in time, we're bombarded by all the same c**p that the kids are. I know, i'm not immune - i work on a computer, use my phone too much... i should really be cultivating a space at home where it's OK to let your emotions come out in a safe and nurturing way.

    Load More Replies...
    Phil Rubin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People here are going to hate this, but if a couple is selfishly so involved in their personal lives that they treat their children like they are a distraction shouldn't have children in the first place. There is no requirement to have children.

    Sarah Kotora
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who are going to hate this are wrong. This is absolutely valid. Parents who view their children as pets rather than people don’t deserve the gift of kids.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Miklós Nagy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice. Whenever I say that children needs actual parenting and some discipline I am downvoted to the abyss...

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll catch he** for this, but there's a difference between parenting selfishly and *actually parenting*. The apps, the tech, etc., are to free up the time of the *parents*... IMHO. OK, downvote away!

    Lu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Leo I totally agree - yes times have changed, but it's not like us parents are "fixed" in time, we're bombarded by all the same c**p that the kids are. I know, i'm not immune - i work on a computer, use my phone too much... i should really be cultivating a space at home where it's OK to let your emotions come out in a safe and nurturing way.

    Load More Replies...
    Phil Rubin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People here are going to hate this, but if a couple is selfishly so involved in their personal lives that they treat their children like they are a distraction shouldn't have children in the first place. There is no requirement to have children.

    Sarah Kotora
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who are going to hate this are wrong. This is absolutely valid. Parents who view their children as pets rather than people don’t deserve the gift of kids.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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