For a while now, at least since I announced my decision to spread my wings and leave teaching at the end of the year, I've been asked why I'm walking away from my teaching career.

Many people have asked expecting a variety of answers. A few have even been annoyed at me. I've had a range of opinions too. A lot of people have suggested it's all about the money. Some have suggested it's all about the freedom. And while both of these groups are right in their own way, there's a larger factor at play that I really need to explain.

I've been taken to task in the last few days, that I'm being irresponisble by leaving my teaching career. I've also been accused about not caring for the welfare of the students in class. What the...?

It's quite simple. I love many aspects about teaching. I only teach the lower grades (6 to 10 year olds), and I really enjoy being around the kids all day, sharing in their excitement about the world around them, and helping them see and appreciate aspects of the world that would otherwise be unknown to them. I love that moment when you see in their eyes that something has just clicked for them. And I love watching them grow as individuals. But I just can't do it anymore. The system that controls what I'm supposed to teach is broken and not in touch with the real world. Of course kids need to learn the basics, and of course there's a place for it, but it shouldn't be the focus.

I could have walked away months ago, I don't need to be there anymore. But I chose to see out the school year so my kids would have the same teacher until the end of the year. Tell me how that's irresponsible. I wont lie, I'm going to be very sad when I leave on that last day knowing I wont see those kids again, as I really do care about them. But in essence that's my problem. I'm so angry and frustrated by the state of education that I need to walk away. I never really thought of myself as a typical teacher anyway, more of a maveric who did his own thing based on what I thought the kids needed, not based on what they were 'supposed' to be learning. I've always been more about fun, about being creative, and being an individual. I don't think any students of mine over the years have suffered from that approach, quite the contrary.

So I've been trying to find the words to explain my feelings more succinctly, and today, I was shown the video below. It's perfect. All my feelings, thoughts, anxieties and opinions, all rolled up into an insightful and humourous 20 minute talk. Please watch it. If you do you'll know exactly where I'm coming from and why I need to move on.