The State of Education
Why are teachers quitting?
Prince George, BC, June 23, 2026/ - The internet is full of videos by former teachers discussing why they have left education. Many are from the United States, but teachers from other countries, including Canada, are also complaining about student apathy and salaries that do not keep up with the cost of living.
I’ve been teaching since the 1980s, and I have no intention of leaving the profession any time soon. I love interacting with my students every day, and I have seen many positive changes in the field since I began more than 40 years ago. What follows is an anecdotal, though honest, assessment of our education system.
My love for teaching comes from a profound belief that every child born is a gift to this world. Children who live in Canada enjoy one of the best public education systems on the planet. I recognize the tremendous responsibility I am given as part of this institution.
When I began teaching, the curriculum I taught was largely a checklist of required topics. There are, of course, skills people need to function in the world, but children are, above all, sacred individuals who need a nurturing environment in which they can grow. Several changes have occurred during my career that have made our education system much better today than it was when I began teaching.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) education is simply about accepting people for who they are. Why does it matter if a student identifies as male, female, or non-binary? We can all be kind and respectful toward one another. That is my experience of SOGI, and as a cisgender, white-passing, Christian, heterosexual male, I am very grateful.
Canada’s national reconciliation process has involved the integration of Indigenous principles of learning into our schools. This can best be summarized by two books I read with my Grade 8 Indigenous Identity students (a five-week course that is required in my school), Go Show the World by Wab Kinew (before he became Premier of Manitoba), and Be a Good Ancestor by Gabrielle Prince and Leona Prince. These are books, not only about overcoming racism and adversity, but about recognizing the responsibility each of us has in caring for ourselves, our neighbour, and our world. As Kinew says, “We are people who matter. Yes, it’s true. Now let’s show the world what people who matter can do.”
A common complaint from teachers is that students today are disrespectful and unmotivated. I honestly haven’t seen much change since the 1980s. If anything, children are kinder to one another than they used to be, at least outwardly.
Are there areas where our education system needs to improve? Yes, absolutely. We have students who face tremendous adversity. For some, just showing up is a huge challenge. It would therefore be wise to diversify our programs to meet their needs. This is simply an investment in the future of our country.
The other area that needs to be examined is our overemphasis on only one language in the Anglophone school system. While English is useful in many fields, young Anglophone Canadians will be competing on a world stage with people who can think and communicate in several languages; we are thus putting them at a significant disadvantage. In addition, we need to recognize that many of our students already speak other languages in their homes; this needs to be fostered. We also need to get serious about learning our Indigenous languages.
Teaching is hard work, and I recognize the frustrations of other teachers. I’ve been very fortunate to have dealt with largely supportive parents. I’ve also been able to find good administrators, and I have a strong union. In addition, I do not have to deal with the tensions of life in the United States.
I respect people who are leaving education to find more joy in other professions, and I think that is to be celebrated, but for myself, I am going to keep teaching.
Here is Troy Media’s version of the article:
Thank you for sharing your perspective and acknowledging you personal good fortune in your calling, your career. I resonate with your insights and philosophy of education, your understanding of students. I believe the next step might be to broaden and deepen your understanding of other teachers, educational support staff, and administrators who have not had your good fortune but a very different experience. They too are ‘students’, and deserve the same understanding, consideration and compassion you have articulate for the students who have graced your classroom. In Canada, each province has different education ministries with different policies- in some jurisdictions teachers and their profession have been under attack, undermined, and unsupported. Perhaps you have covered this elsewhere, in another article. However, in this particular one your self-satisfaction seems your emphasis- and this does harmonize with your generosity of spirit towards your students.