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Why Texas Teachers Are Losing Their Licenses Just for Quitting — And Why I’m Deeply Concerned

I’ve been following the teacher shortage crisis across the U.S., but the situation in Texas really stopped me in my tracks. Imagine being so overwhelmed, burned out, or unsupported in your job that you finally make the tough decision to quit—only to be punished by the state. That’s exactly what’s happening right now.

In Texas, teachers who break their contracts mid-school year can have their licenses suspended. Yes, you read that right—educators are losing their ability to work just because they prioritized their mental health, family, or financial survival. I don’t know about you, but that feels incredibly backward to me.

I get it—consistency matters for students. But let’s not ignore the bigger picture. When classrooms are overcrowded, resources are limited, and teachers are constantly expected to do more with less, it’s no wonder so many are walking away. What stuns me is that instead of asking why teachers are quitting, some districts are choosing to punish them for leaving.

I’ve talked to teachers who stay up at night battling guilt, burnout, and anxiety, knowing they’re being asked to sacrifice their well-being for a system that’s not giving back. And now, they’re afraid that leaving means losing their careers altogether.

This approach doesn’t fix the teacher shortage—it fuels it. If we want to keep great teachers in the classroom, we need to support them, not threaten them. That means better pay, more respect, mental health support, and yes—policies that actually treat teachers like the professionals they are.

I’m sharing this because I believe conversations like ours matter. We can’t afford to stay silent when those shaping young minds are being treated like they’re disposable.