I taught English at the middle school level and high school level for 32 years in three different states: Arkansas, California, and Texas. I was recognized as Teacher of the Year in all three states, so I was highly dedicated to the aching profession and to professional growth. Of course, our country’s students need great teachers! However, I highly discouraged my own three children from entering the education profession because of the poor retirement and benefits (… most teachers have to teach into their early or even mid 60s now to receive full benefits, which is usually around 40 percent of the average of your top 5 years of pay), the increase in student discipline issues, especially since the COVID Pandemic, and the decrease in parental and administrative support, and the fact that educators are expected to fund their own classrooms while jumping through ridiculous state-testing mandates that only keep increasing year after year. Many school districts have bought into the WOK mentality and have truly pushed true education of students to the back burner. Of course, I always had to work a side hustle in order to pay for and fund my classroom’s needs, which is absolutely ridiculous when you think of it. There never seemed to be enough hours in the day to meet the demands of the job, which only seemed to increase yearly! Teaching on the college level pays little extra unless you have your Doctorate and are your university’s Education Department chairperson. Many college professors also end up working a side hustle to pay their bills, as well. The field of education is one of the most stressful and demanding jobs with a set pay scale with meager benefits! All three of my own children have chosen to become registered nurses or physical therapists/sports medicine majors. And … I am forever grateful! My most alarming realization of the negative impacts of the education field has been the increase in educator suicides over the past five years … in both the U.S. and England!