Our Future Educators

Imagine a world where the architects of our tomorrow - our teachers - are running on empty. Every time a teacher leaves, a bit of our future leaves too. Let’s be real: teachers are the backbone of education, the unsung heroes behind every doctor, engineer, CEO or artist. We became who we are because someone believed in us, guided us and nurtured our potential. And yet, across the UK, the US and Canada, too many of them feel undervalued, overwhelmed and ready to walk away. Some already have.

This isn’t just a problem - we’re watching a rebuilding of society crumble brick by brick!

In England, only about 71% of teachers remain in the profession five years after qualifying - and that drops to just 60% after ten years. That means nearly three in every five new teachers have left before their tenth year. In the US, the situation is striking too: roughly 8% of teachers leave every single year and nearly 44% depart within their first five years. This early‑career exodus isn’t just a loss, it’s a systemic failure to nurture those who want to serve.

Burnout.

Burnout isn’t a buzzword, it’s the reality for too many educators. In the US, over 61% of teachers report high levels of burnout and 50% describe feeling burnt out. In fact, K‑12 teachers are the most burned‑out profession in the U.S., with burnout rates 14% higher than other fields. In the UK, it's equally bleak: over 59% of education staff reported considering leaving due to mental health pressures and 68% identified workload volume as the main culprit.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a salary issue. Teachers don’t feel supported when it comes to mental health and support in their schools. I've done a little research and here’s what I found:

• 41% of teachers report high levels of stress regularly.

• Over 50% have considered quitting due to stress.

• 74% say stress affects their mental health.

• 52% feel unsupported by their administration.

You cannot pour from an empty cup. If we expect teachers to mould, shape and train up our children, where do we expect their reservoirs to be filled from? How can teachers fuel the next generation while they themselves are feeling depleted?

Just think back. Think back to every dream you’ve chased, every milestone you’ve hit...you had a teacher behind it. They’re moulding leaders, thinkers, healers, innovators - day in, day out. And yet, they’re invisible until they're gone.

Teachers don’t just impart knowledge - they scaffold confidence, nurture resilience and help shape values. Teachers step in where systems fail: they’re confidantes, mentors, peace‑keepers, counsellors and so much more. Let’s treat them as the professionals and the people they are. Let's treat them with value and respect.

We need systemic shifts, not just superficial ones. Here’s what I believe can truly make a difference:

• Create real mental‑health support: offer counselling, peer support groups and reduce stigma. It matters.

• Trim the unnecessary admin: free teachers to teach and connect, not just tick boxes.

• Trust and empower teachers: give autonomy, involve them in decisions and honour their expertise.

• Foster flexibility: especially for those juggling classroom and home, family and planning time.

• Build school cultures of collaboration: because supportive school climates can boost retention by ~20% and mentoring reduces early‑career drop-out by up to 50%.

• Appropriate class sizes and workloads: let teachers breathe, design, reflect and recharge.

• And finally...Celebrate educators: not as part of a policy soundbite, but as the architects of our collective future!!!

Everyone, from school leaders to parents, policymakers to publishers, we have a role to play. Respect isn’t optional - it’s essential! Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their calling. They shouldn’t be forced to leave a job they love because the profession forgot to love them back.