In a blistering
TikTok
a rant that has attracted over a million viewers, a 26-year-old high school English instructor has
delivered an honest and uncensored goodbye
into the classroom—and to an era she believes has been overwhelmed and handicapped by technology.
“I’m really stepping away from this career. I’ve decided to resign. This coming Friday will be my final day,” stated Hannah Maria, a tenth-grade educator who mentioned she just could not endure it any longer.
‘Your class won’t look like this anymore come Friday.’
During a nine-and-a-half-minute recording made during her planning time, Hannah explains to the camera that instead of having desks occupied by curious minds ready to learn, she now finds students engrossed in scrolling through TikTok, gaming, and plagiarizing their homework.
AI
tools like
ChatGPT
.
“I truly, truly, truly wish to discuss… the ways in which technology is undermining education,” she asserts, her tone laden with exasperation and defeat.
Hannah, with her 2,600 followers, instructs in a region where each pupil from sixth through twelfth grade receives one.
iPad
.
She thinks that instead of assisting students, the device has turned into a burden that is lowering educational standards in America.
These youngsters lack reading skills,” she states bluntly. “They either listen to stories being told or simply press a button for audio versions. Their ability to focus is diminishing. There’s too much high-stimulation content around them. In under a minute, they’re already swiping through.
Hannah goes on to depict the contemporary classroom in bleak terms: Adolescents who avoid writing as much as a single paragraph, who have outbursts when requested to submit handwritten work, and who plead to simply “type it”– not because they seek efficiency but due to their inclination towards copying responses from online sources or relying on artificial intelligence to handle the cognitive tasks instead.
‘She mentions that they intend to utilize [technology] solely for enjoyment purposes rather than for educational goals.’
She thinks their teenagers’ conduct is just one aspect of the issue. Her main concern is the feeling that this cohort, brought up with gadgets, seems indifferent towards everything from academics and reading skills to fundamental societal norms.
‘They aren’t concerned with changing the world. They also disregard learning how to craft a resume or a cover letter. All they possess are gadgets they believe will see them through life.’
“I don’t place much trust in some of these youngsters I instruct,” Hannah confesses, then adds that she has encountered “a few” talented pupils throughout her various classes.
However, for numerous individuals, she remarks, “previous generations have let them down” by undervaluing fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, instead substituting these with technologically advanced diversions that pass themselves off as progress.
When I was their age, going to movies was a special occasion,” she muses. “Nowadays, though, when they ask for a movie, what they really mean is wanting some video playing quietly as they browse their phones and chat with their friends.
She mentions that she could easily count with just one hand the number of students who genuinely focus when movies are played during class sessions.
Her approach is quite extreme — she wants to prohibit technology in educational institutions.
I believe we should disconnect these children from technology perhaps until they reach college,” she states. “Consider me traditional-minded, but take a look at the test scores. Examine the literacy rates. Review the statistics. Compare the times when students weren’t using technology… to today.
‘If reading isn’t your thing and you aren’t interested in reading… then forming genuine viewpoints will always be out of reach. You won’t grasp why laws and governance are important. And you’ll remain unaware of why you have the privilege to cast your ballot.’
She appeals to those in charge—school boards, superintendents—to examine the statistics showing falling test scores, the nationwide drop in literacy rates, and the increasing reliance on technology before she makes her argument for embracing everything analogue.
‘Spending your budget on textbooks, workbooks, and printed materials isn’t an issue,’ she states.
‘This could be a two-decade strategy, but you must begin integrating these changes. You should start phasing out the technology and reinstating what proved effective before.’
Hannah shares that becoming a teacher wasn’t initially her aspiration; however, she chose this career path about three years back, motivated by her relatives who worked as teachers.
She mentions being attracted to the school calendar along with the opportunity to interact with teenagers.
Before shifting her focus to teach English classes, Hannah had imparted knowledge in digital arts and computer skills. Now, despite using the same technology, she often criticizes it for disrupting the educational framework.
However, due to the salary, conduct issues, and growing disenchantment, she states that the system has shattered her as well.
My primary reason for departing was the compensation,” she confesses. “However, if the entire experience had been more positive, I might have persevered.
Finally, she remarks, the position turned into an ordeal.
This era is truly challenging,” she remarks. “To be honest, I feel like I lack the strength to cope with it. If anyone begins navigating this now… my admiration goes out to you. May God bless you all. I wish I possessed more resilience.
People who left comments on the video seemed to empathize with Hannah’s perspective.
“One suggested reinstating computer labs for learning tech skills instead of bringing Chromebooks into classrooms,” which aligns with her anti-technology viewpoint.
‘Generation Z speaking, even just attending college online due to COVID-19 has made me feel like my educational growth has stalled. I struggle with maintaining focus, am unsure of how to study effectively now, and seem to have forgotten numerous skills,’ shared another student.
“My pupils no longer bother to search on Google since AI has come along. Searching with Google involved checking several sites, but AI simply provides all the answers directly,” remarked another educator.
A fourth student commented, ‘I just finished college and have only been using AI for about a year now… It’s hard to picture having had access to it during my high school days – I doubt I would have learned anything at all.’
Following up with another video after her initial reaction gained widespread attention, Hannah expressed deep admiration for the teachers and administrators at her workplace. However, she stood firm on her stance, stating that she had to face the consequences of her actions by saying, “I made my bed; now I must lie in it,” as interest in her opinion continued to grow.
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