From ABCs to double D’s: Why Educators are Leaving the Classroom for Hooters
Allinson Chavez, a former educator from Queens, made a bold career move by leaving her job teaching tots the alphabet to become a Hooters waitress. The decision was driven by the need to earn more money to support herself and her child. Chavez is just one of many educators who are ditching the demands of the classroom due to underwhelming pay and overwhelming burnout.
A recent report from RAND revealed that the pandemic has exacerbated job-related stress for K-12 school teachers and principals, causing them to feel twice as overtaxed as other working adults. Teachers are 40% more likely to report anxiety symptoms than health care workers, 20% more likely than office workers, and 30% more than military members, legal experts, and farmers. The threat of random violence and abuse from students has also contributed to the stress and anxiety experienced by educators.
Stacey Sawyer, a former eighth-grade teacher from Florida, shared her experience of feeling scared to go to work due to the fights and attacks that plagued her workplace. After three decades behind the desk, she decided to quit teaching because the stress had become too much to bear. Many educators are finding that the trauma and stress of the job are not worth the trouble.
Chavez, who worked as a special education teaching assistant for 10 years, revealed that she was only making $46,000 and was living paycheck to paycheck. Dealing with behavioral issues and facing verbal and physical abuse from students took a toll on her mental health. After resigning from the Department of Education and failing to secure employment in tech, Chavez decided to try her luck at Hooters.
Despite initially planning to transition into software engineering, Chavez found success at Hooters, where she was hired on the spot. She now makes $5,000 to $10,000 more annually than she did as a teacher, thanks to tips from customers. Chavez enjoys her new job and finds it rewarding to provide excellent service to customers who come to Hooters to escape their real-life stress.
While Chavez misses her students and the benefits of being a teacher, such as health care and summer vacations, she appreciates the flexibility and financial stability that her new job offers. Although working at Hooters was never part of her plans, Chavez acknowledges that money is money, and she is content with her decision for now.
In conclusion, the story of Allinson Chavez highlights the challenges faced by educators in today’s society and the difficult decisions they have to make to ensure their financial well-being. The trend of educators leaving the classroom for alternative careers like Hooters sheds light on the systemic issues within the education system that need to be addressed to retain talented professionals in the field.