Teacher Explains Why They Quit After 1st Day, Goes Viral, But Some People Are Still Baffled
We always hear about students bullying each other in schools. And we know it’s bad. What we hear way more rarely is that teachers experience bullying too. And usually, it comes from those same students.
Recently, TikTok user @kevinenvy came to the platform stating that they are quitting their job due to kids being way too mean. And the video gathered more than 1M views.
More info: TikTok
In August, a teacher went viral on TikTok after quitting a job after their first day because they were fed up with how the kids behaved
Image credits: Max Fische (not the actual photo)
“So it’s my first day being a teacher and I’m quitting”
“It was my first day, I don’t want this, I went to school for no reason. I thought I can handle it.”
Image credits: @kevinenvy
“These kids are just mean, they’re rude, they’re smelly, they were sneezing everywhere. So, today’s my last day”
Image credits: @kevinenvy
You can watch the viral TikTok video below
@kevinenvyI quit on my first day of teaching.♬ original sound
Sadly, we can’t even imagine how common bullying of teachers is
If we talk a bit more broadly than the TikTok video, statistics of students bullying teachers are frankly quite sad. According to the research done by sociologists Paulina Billett and Edgar Burns, back in 2018, more than 70% of participant teachers had been bullied or harassed by a student within the last 12 months.
Verbal aggression was the most common form of bullying – 30% of participants experienced it. It was followed by invasion of personal space (16.6%) and damage to personal property (12.5%). Unfortunately, 10% of participant teachers experienced physical abuse.
Also, the study found that female teachers suffered student bullying slightly more often than male ones. On the other hand, male teachers more often had students organizing others against them and lying to get them in trouble.
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
Quite surprisingly, commentators were supportive of the teacher. A lot of them shared similar situations they found themselves in or someone they knew experienced. Others advised the teacher to try to go to different schools or grades, maybe there the experience would be a bit better. Or just try to be a substitute teacher beforehand.
People online agreed – being a teacher is not for the weak
I went and watched the video. He probably needs to try a different age group. And stop being a crybaby. (Cue the downvotes, I know, but if you watch the video you will hear/see it).
I agree. Far to precious to deal with challenging kids.
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I'm kinda confused... Didn't he take student teaching? Or was the students just completely different?
In at least parts of the US, you are not required to student teach to be licensed for secondary school. In my state, you have to do it for primary (elementary) grades.
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Just gonna say it - the guy is a prat. Clearly hadn't given any thought to what the role entails, lists some pretty pathetic reasons not to stay and shows a complete lack of effort or resilience. Anyone with half a brain would at least stick a job out for a few days/weeks to reaffirm they're making the right decision. I bet he'll then go to work in a coffee shop and decide he doesn't like the smell of coffee, then retail and he doesn't like folding clothes, then hospitality and doesn't like the customers, then entertainment and doesn't like the hour and so on. And decades from now blame society for the fact that he's not achieved much with his life.
I used to work with children with "challenging behaviours." In fact, if they couldn't make it in a "challenging behaviour" classroom, they were sent to me. I would work with 25 of those kids ANY day over a classroom of "regular education" students.
'challenging behaviour kids are waaay more entertaining than regular kids!
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Very shortsighted. I'm a teacher and it can take weeks to build up routines and relationships with the kids. Then they behave much better because they know what the expectations are and they feel respected by their teacher. It's not hard, it just takes time.
I agree with everything you're saying, however.. it is "hard". Moreso, it is challenging. Of course, we have different capabilities and capacities for what is "hard", but I don't think it's easy. It takes work and consistency.
Load More Replies... Ya, well, if you choose to look and talk like he (?) does, and you choose to be as fragile as he is, then maybe teaching isn't the job for you. Sorry, but seriously, toughen up a little bit. They are just kids. Be strict if you have to, you are a teacher, not their buddy.
I'm going out on a limb here and suggest that folks like you are a big part of the problem. Teachers shouldn't have to be "tough" to teach. There is a absolute lack of respect for people who are charged with educating children. I'm so incredibly sick of hearing people shrieking about being disrespected when they have no idea what what the term actually means and it shows in the manners (or total lack of) that their children display. It's gross.
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Had he never met a child before his first day? Amazing so many people go through an absurd about of education to be a teacher and then the Big Three shock them: The low pay, the awful kids and the entitled and idiotic parents. The Holy Trinity of the reasons why teaching is a terrible choice when it comes to careers.
Two thirds of my teacher training class of 18 were not teaching a year after graduating (various reasons). Its a difficult job. For sny new teachers, finding the right school with good support makes a big difference. Doing relief teaching can be harder, as things get easier once you build a reputation and become known to the students.
He probably did student teaching in a different grade than what he got a job for. Secondary education covers grades 6-12, which can be students ranging in age from 11 and 12-year-olds to 18-year-olds. There is a HUGE difference between teaching juniors in high school and 6th graders in middle school.
He probably just did it for tiktok content. These boring tiktokkers go to great lengths to shove their faces into cameras and whine. Please, please stop posting these low-quality dull videos.
As bad as it sounds, just looking at the dude's still I was thinking "oh yeah, they're going to eat you alive" and then I clicked it and heard his voice and added "...with BBQ sauce" I have the feeling he spent the entire day getting roasted by the kids, and he'd envisioned some idealistic utopia where he'd be adored by the children who would be SO much different than the mean adults he's probably been bullied a lot by. But kids are feral and can smell weakness. And he's walking wounded. Considering the number of hoops required to hire a new teacher, I can't imagine the number of bridges he just burned quitting the first day. He's not going to get a do over in another district.
A teaching degree is one of the easiest to obtain. Many think hey the whole summer off and we get off holidays and at 3pm. Yeah nope, not even close.
I don't have to press play to know, he has a great fault in this too. Yes, the kids are rude, difficult, etc. The parents are not parenting. However, it is so ironic for myself, I've tried to get hired as a teacher, not aggressively, but I've made quite few attempts. Either, I won't get the interview or won't get hired. I'm 30, never had a full on career, finally received bachelor's at the beginning of COVID, an associates in Education & Training 5yrs prior that. I think they see the experience and don't think twice about me, IDK. I've been a substitute teacher past 3 yrs, 2 yrs before that, I classroom manage well. The amount of teachers that came and left while I'm fantasizing of having my own classroom is trippy for me. But, you have to know it's for you, you need experience first. Idk what he was thinking at all, expecting the kids to "just know", "how to school". Been busy now as Residents Services Coordinator & subbing. Someone finally believed in me. Lovin it! Bachelor's in use.
In the UK when you take the PGCE, you HAVE to work in a school. I can see why people are puzzled they quit on the first day. I loved working with ages 4-9. 9-13 was harder, but it was worth it for the 7 years total I worked in schools
I feel like my experience as a student so far is enough to deter me from ever going back. I've seen how students behave... and I don't know how teachers manage to enjoy the job. Teaching seems like something that is absolutely not for everybody, and I understand why this person would quit.
Go back to school get an adult education degree, get a corporate job. Children are terrible creatures and adults that didn't create them should have minimal contact with them.
What a sweeping generalisation! There are adults out there that are just as terrible.
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Kids are horrible because mom is horrible. Dad? He's probably just on the periphery. But yeah, live together, get divorced, or just frikken have a baby.
I went and watched the video. He probably needs to try a different age group. And stop being a crybaby. (Cue the downvotes, I know, but if you watch the video you will hear/see it).
I agree. Far to precious to deal with challenging kids.
Load More Replies... I'm kinda confused... Didn't he take student teaching? Or was the students just completely different?
In at least parts of the US, you are not required to student teach to be licensed for secondary school. In my state, you have to do it for primary (elementary) grades.
Load More Replies... Just gonna say it - the guy is a prat. Clearly hadn't given any thought to what the role entails, lists some pretty pathetic reasons not to stay and shows a complete lack of effort or resilience. Anyone with half a brain would at least stick a job out for a few days/weeks to reaffirm they're making the right decision. I bet he'll then go to work in a coffee shop and decide he doesn't like the smell of coffee, then retail and he doesn't like folding clothes, then hospitality and doesn't like the customers, then entertainment and doesn't like the hour and so on. And decades from now blame society for the fact that he's not achieved much with his life.
I used to work with children with "challenging behaviours." In fact, if they couldn't make it in a "challenging behaviour" classroom, they were sent to me. I would work with 25 of those kids ANY day over a classroom of "regular education" students.
'challenging behaviour kids are waaay more entertaining than regular kids!
Load More Replies... Very shortsighted. I'm a teacher and it can take weeks to build up routines and relationships with the kids. Then they behave much better because they know what the expectations are and they feel respected by their teacher. It's not hard, it just takes time.
I agree with everything you're saying, however.. it is "hard". Moreso, it is challenging. Of course, we have different capabilities and capacities for what is "hard", but I don't think it's easy. It takes work and consistency.
Load More Replies... Ya, well, if you choose to look and talk like he (?) does, and you choose to be as fragile as he is, then maybe teaching isn't the job for you. Sorry, but seriously, toughen up a little bit. They are just kids. Be strict if you have to, you are a teacher, not their buddy.
I'm going out on a limb here and suggest that folks like you are a big part of the problem. Teachers shouldn't have to be "tough" to teach. There is a absolute lack of respect for people who are charged with educating children. I'm so incredibly sick of hearing people shrieking about being disrespected when they have no idea what what the term actually means and it shows in the manners (or total lack of) that their children display. It's gross.
Load More Replies... Had he never met a child before his first day? Amazing so many people go through an absurd about of education to be a teacher and then the Big Three shock them: The low pay, the awful kids and the entitled and idiotic parents. The Holy Trinity of the reasons why teaching is a terrible choice when it comes to careers.
Two thirds of my teacher training class of 18 were not teaching a year after graduating (various reasons). Its a difficult job. For sny new teachers, finding the right school with good support makes a big difference. Doing relief teaching can be harder, as things get easier once you build a reputation and become known to the students.
He probably did student teaching in a different grade than what he got a job for. Secondary education covers grades 6-12, which can be students ranging in age from 11 and 12-year-olds to 18-year-olds. There is a HUGE difference between teaching juniors in high school and 6th graders in middle school.
He probably just did it for tiktok content. These boring tiktokkers go to great lengths to shove their faces into cameras and whine. Please, please stop posting these low-quality dull videos.
As bad as it sounds, just looking at the dude's still I was thinking "oh yeah, they're going to eat you alive" and then I clicked it and heard his voice and added "...with BBQ sauce" I have the feeling he spent the entire day getting roasted by the kids, and he'd envisioned some idealistic utopia where he'd be adored by the children who would be SO much different than the mean adults he's probably been bullied a lot by. But kids are feral and can smell weakness. And he's walking wounded. Considering the number of hoops required to hire a new teacher, I can't imagine the number of bridges he just burned quitting the first day. He's not going to get a do over in another district.
A teaching degree is one of the easiest to obtain. Many think hey the whole summer off and we get off holidays and at 3pm. Yeah nope, not even close.
I don't have to press play to know, he has a great fault in this too. Yes, the kids are rude, difficult, etc. The parents are not parenting. However, it is so ironic for myself, I've tried to get hired as a teacher, not aggressively, but I've made quite few attempts. Either, I won't get the interview or won't get hired. I'm 30, never had a full on career, finally received bachelor's at the beginning of COVID, an associates in Education & Training 5yrs prior that. I think they see the experience and don't think twice about me, IDK. I've been a substitute teacher past 3 yrs, 2 yrs before that, I classroom manage well. The amount of teachers that came and left while I'm fantasizing of having my own classroom is trippy for me. But, you have to know it's for you, you need experience first. Idk what he was thinking at all, expecting the kids to "just know", "how to school". Been busy now as Residents Services Coordinator & subbing. Someone finally believed in me. Lovin it! Bachelor's in use.
In the UK when you take the PGCE, you HAVE to work in a school. I can see why people are puzzled they quit on the first day. I loved working with ages 4-9. 9-13 was harder, but it was worth it for the 7 years total I worked in schools
I feel like my experience as a student so far is enough to deter me from ever going back. I've seen how students behave... and I don't know how teachers manage to enjoy the job. Teaching seems like something that is absolutely not for everybody, and I understand why this person would quit.
Go back to school get an adult education degree, get a corporate job. Children are terrible creatures and adults that didn't create them should have minimal contact with them.
What a sweeping generalisation! There are adults out there that are just as terrible.
Load More Replies... Kids are horrible because mom is horrible. Dad? He's probably just on the periphery. But yeah, live together, get divorced, or just frikken have a baby.
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