I agree with every word you wrote. And thank you for not saying the pandemic is any cause of teacher burnout. If we weren't already burned out, we'd have rallied after the pandemic and come back stronger. The pandemic was just the straw that broke the camels back. When you mentioned autonomy, you hit the nail on the head. I get pissed and feel burned out the most when I have to listen to a consultant tell me how to teach. I get pissed when admin are scared of whacky parents who make bogus claims and take their side over mine in a conflict. When trust is violated, it's almost impossible to get back. I especially get pissed when kids with clear and intense needs are placed in the wrong setting because privileged admin who don't have to work with the students directly are adhering to some stupid ideology. 🙄 Again, great article. What do you think is the answer to halting the teacher exodus in its tracks? Or is public and higher education doomed?