Queensland teacher Kathy Margolis quits after 30 years, letter explaining why goes viral

A QUEENSLAND teacher is quitting the job she loves after three decades and has penned a striking letter detailing the problems facing her colleagues and the students they teach.

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PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says she would be more than happy to personally speak with teacher Kathy Margolis, whose social media post detailing her concerns about the profession went viral.

As reported in The Courier-Mail today Ms Margolis’ post, in which she explains why she chose to quit, has been widely shared.

The Premier said she had discussed the matter with Education Minister Kate Jones.

“My Government takes education very seriously, that’s why we announced an extra 290 teachers this year,” she said.

“The teachers out there are doing the best they possibly can and I do take on board her concerns that she has raised and we’ll be addressing those.”

Ms Palaszczuk added she was “more than happy to chat with her personally”.

OVERNIGHT

A QUEENSLAND state school teacher has become so disillusioned with the education system she has quit after 30 years, saying she fears for the mental health of teachers and students.

Kathy Margolis said she had quit after seeing the education system decline with overcrowding of classrooms and the curriculum.

“This year, after much thought, I have decided to look for another job, not easy for a woman in her 50s. I cannot continue to do a job that requires me to do what is fundamentally against my philosophy of how it should be done,” she said.

“Never have I experienced a time in my profession where teachers are this stressed and in fear for the mental health of not only themselves, but the children that they teach.

“Classrooms are overcrowded, filled with individuals with all sorts of needs, both educational and social. Teachers are told we must differentiate and cater to each individual. Good teachers try to do that, but it is near impossible and we feel guilty that we are not doing enough to help the children in our care.”

Ms Margolis spoke out after quitting her position with Education Queensland.

Her post on Facebook attracted more than 15,000 shares.

“I just wanted to start a conversation and make people aware of how difficult it is for teachers and kids these days. I never in a million years expected it to become so popular,” she told The Courier-Mail.

“No one is asking teachers at the chalk face and there is no one else who knows what’s going on in the classroom like us.

“Someone needs to realise that we are widening the gap for the kids who aren’t ready or who are falling behind because we never had the time to catch them back up.”

Ms Margolis said she was devastated to leave the classroom, but could not continue to watch “the joy slowly being sucked out of learning”.

She said teaching graduates were becoming burnt out and disillusioned with the career, forced to be data-driven in the classroom.

“Teachers have very little professional autonomy anymore. We are told what to do, how to do it and when it has to be done by,” she wrote.

She said her decision to finish teaching last year was sparked after a student asked her why she was still teaching.

“That question got me to thinking long and hard. I had no answer except that I truly loved kids and it was with a heavy heart that I realised that wasn’t enough anymore.”