Most people in the United States agree public school teachers work too hard for too little money and benefits in most states.
But it's still surprising a teacher could leave their classroom and make more money as a manager at a retail chain.
Former Ohio teacher, Seth Goshorn, proved it was possible, however, when he shared on TikTok in July he had ended his teaching contract and set aside his teaching materials for a familiar blue uniform.
Seth of @sg_powerlifting on TikTok shared:
"Leaving teaching after 6 years to go be a manager at Walmart and make more not using my degree."
The video quickly went viral.
It earned more than 63 thousand likes, over 1500 comments and over 1300 shares in a few days on TikTok alone.
The platform's reaction was thoroughly mixed with understanding, skepticism and gratitude.
Some thanked Goshorn for his time in the classroom and hoped he made good memories.
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
Goshorn shared in another video how much he appreciated comments like these.
Other TikTokers understood why Goshorn was leaving the classroom behind.
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
Goshorn agreed with this sentiment, at least in theory.
He also added in another video it was important for teachers to do what they love.
But some TikTokers were skeptical about how hard teaching was.
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
@sg_powerlifting/TikTok
Goshorn had a lot to say about the realities of being a teacher.
Namely, teachers' hours are much longer than the time students spend in the classroom.
Not to mention, most teachers experience a terrible work-life balance leading to eventual burnout.
Anyone who has taught and left the classroom in the past can understand the pull of missing the classroom and students, while no longer wanting the stress that came from the harder realities of teaching.
While retail is not an easy occupation either, there arguably must be more separation between home life and work life than teaching offers.
That alone could be reason enough to consider walking out of the classroom for the final time, without ever even getting to the discussion of the pay.
