TC Weber notes that public education often creates a culture that is toxic for its frontline workers – the teachers:
In 2025, school administrators still run buildings like it’s a 1980s kitchen. The pressure to “move the needle” on student achievement is suffocating.
In Metro Nashville Public Schools, leadership talks to principals and teachers with open disrespect. It’s framed as urgency for students. But it’s demoralizing. It’s toxic.
He notes some startling stats:
- Teachers are 40% more likely to have anxiety than healthcare workers.
- K–12 educators are the most burned-out profession in the U.S.
- 44% say they feel burnout often or always.
- Over half plan to leave earlier than expected.
- Post-pandemic, we’re down over 500,000 educators.
- 43% of educator job postings go unfilled.
- Compensation is the #1 reason people quit.
