TAMPA, Fla. — It’s no secret that teaching is a hard job: between the hours, expectations, and less than desirable pay, a lot of teachers are calling it quits.
Business.org conducted a study and found that teachers across the nation are changing careers, they’ve dubbed it the “Great Resignation.” However, there are still some extremely dedicated teachers who say despite the challenges, they can’t imagine doing anything else.
One of them is Daralyn Harpster.
What You Need To Know
- 3-part BN9 series: Teachers across the country are quitting their jobs and changing careers, which is being known as “The Great Teacher Resignation.”
- But teacher Daralyn Harpster says she is sticking with teaching and says she couldn't imagine doing anything else
- PREVIOUS STORY: Kamille Smith’s fifth-grade teacher quit earlier this year. Her mother, Takia, says it has led to added challenges for her daughter
- On Wednesday, we told you about a teacher who made the tough decision to change careers over summer break
Her class at Oak Park Elementary in Tampa knows how to do something that’s not always easy—have fun, and learn at the same time, like when they play “Bam.”
“We’re going to play a game called “Bam,” and again, it’s a way for them to help with recognizing their sight words,” said Daralyn, or Mrs. Harpster as she goes by in class.
It’s her eighth year teaching, and she said while she loves working with her students, she admits, teaching at an elementary school wasn’t her initial plan.
“Actually, I studied communication in college, and I thought I was going to be a college professor, and there was a position open at a school, and I went ahead and applied to it, and I got it, and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Daralyn teaches an ESE class.
All of her students have special needs, which of course, can be more challenging, but Daralyn said she loves it. Her husband also understands, he’s right across the hall, and teaching is their life.
“The kids obviously, it’s all about them. It is tough right now but you kind of block all that out and it’s all for them,”
Now, in a time where teachers have to keep classroom doors locked, pay for their own school supplies, and have to be there more than ever before for their students, Daralyn said the sacrifices are all worth it, and this is her lifelong career.
“For me, it’s something I love doing," said Eric Harpster. "It’s something that I will continue to do because it’s important work I’m doing to be able to be here for the kids, show them that I care, it’s very rewarding to share in their accomplishments.”