Why I No Longer Teach Deaf Students

There is a nationwide shortage of qualified Teachers of Deaf (TOD) and teacher attrition is an important component of the shortage. This qualitative research study examines the experiences of thirty-three former TODs in the United States who left their teaching positions in the last decade and the reasons why they resigned. Data sources include open-ended survey questions and focus groups. While TODs experienced the concept of "the last straw," themes in the reasons they exited the field included: (1) Work life's adverse effects on personal well-being, (2) Lack of support from the school community, and (3) Inadequate training in teacher preparation programs. This study brings attention to some TODs' struggles, contextualizes previous quantitative findings about TOD dissatisfaction, and makes recommendations for deaf education to maintain a strong teacher force that effectively serves deaf students.