American Teachers in Red States Are Walking Away for Good

[Celerity]

The predictable consequences of the right wing’s war on public schools are being felt as educators leave their communities—and their profession.

https://newrepublic.com/article/196744/red-state-teacher-exodus-shortage

https://archive.ph/qHfhq



When Rosalyn Sandri returned to teach English at her high school alma mater, she never imagined it would end in a forced resignation. Only three years after stepping into her Texas classroom, she walked out of it for the last time. She’d never see her students again. “They didn’t even let me say goodbye,” she said.

The week before her dismissal had been unremarkable—long days spent grading essays and assigning homework. In September 2024, Sandri, 33, had started publicly transitioning as a transgender woman, something she said her fellow teachers and students welcomed kindly. She shared her journey on TikTok, including one video documenting the euphoria of being called “ma’am” for the first time.

But while her vlog resonated with trans students, it also attracted the attention of Libs of TikTok, a far-right and anti-LGBT social media account known for spreading transphobic hate. It pinned the video to its profile, asking, “Would you feel comfortable with this person teaching your kid?” Over five million people viewed the video, and the waves of hate rolled in immediately. Some commenters joked about putting a bullet in her head. Her state representative called for her termination.

“I do not want anybody in a classroom in a position of authority teaching children that boys can be girls and girls can become boys,” Representative Brian Harrison said at the time. South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace piled on, “Why is it allowed to be around children?” Soon afterward, Sandri was handed resignation papers. Her career was over. Her crime? Being herself at the wrong time, in the wrong place, under the wrong administration.

snip

[Maninacan]

1. Oklahoma and Texas

Oklahoma has been shorting the schools forever. TX went all out screwing the education department and OK tried to take advantage by giving teachers offers to move. Not enough i bet.

[Shipwack]

7. Transplant in Texas right now.

Classes get in the way of high school football.

[ananda]

9. LOL. So true!

[msongs]

2. never leave your kid alone with a priest or minister nt

[walkingman]

3. The dumbing down of America has been going on for a long time. Most people do not realize that

over 50% of the US cannot read above a 5th grade level. Now they are pushing for religion to enter public schools and in Texas by offering vouchers for homeschoolers the problem will accelerate.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

10. I am so glad my children are grown and have completed school.

I fear for my grandchildren who are still in school, though. 2 attend schools in PA, 1 in MD and 2 in VA.

[dsc]

4. NC has become worse and worse overtime

No more pay for masters degrees, no increase in pay from year 16 through year 24, we used to get longevity pay that is gone too. Add in the state legislature making us post instructional materials and other ridiculous demands and it is getting old. Given the fact we have Democrats as both governor and superintendent of schools gay teachers are safe for now. But much of the South is getting bad. Only Virginia is likely not going to crap.

[LuvLoogie]

5. I hope she can move and land safely

away from the Right's myriad bigotries.

[wolfie001]

6. 3rd world red sh7t states

So many now. Run by all white, male christo-fascists. American nazis. Pigs every one of 'em.

[Karasu]

8. Both unfortunate and necessary. Alas, Republicans are jizzing their fucking pants from this.