– Frustration over students’ phone use leading to teacher retirement in Arizona
– Negative impact of smartphone addiction on teaching career in Arizona.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : An Arizona high school biology teacher bid farewell to his students last week, citing their incessant smartphone use as the reason for his departure. Mitchell Rutherford, who taught at Sahuaro High School for 11 years, expressed his frustration with his students’ addiction to their phones in the classroom. In an interview with a local Tucson NBC affiliate, Rutherford revealed that he had tried various methods to curb his students’ phone usage but ultimately felt defeated.
Rutherford, 35, disclosed that the constant exposure to his students’ phone addiction had taken a toll on his mental health. He likened extreme phone usage to drug addiction, stating that it was even more concerning than substance abuse or sugar addiction. Despite implementing strategies such as monitoring screen time, creating phone-free bedtime routines, and introducing a “phone jail,” Rutherford found it challenging to break his students’ reliance on their devices.
The educator noted a significant shift in his students’ behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing the worsening problem to increased screen time and virtual learning. Studies have shown that pandemic-related disruptions have led to significant learning loss among K-12 students nationwide, further exacerbating the issue of smartphone addiction in schools.
Reflecting on his decision to leave teaching, Rutherford acknowledged feeling conflicted about potentially abandoning his students. He expressed a desire to pursue a new career path, such as working at an online college prep school or vocational program, to avoid being consumed and drained by the challenges of addressing phone addiction in the classroom.
Rutherford emphasised the importance of societal intervention in fostering healthy habits among children and protecting their cognitive development. He urged for a shift towards prioritising education and social skills over excessive screen time, advocating for a more balanced approach to technology use in schools.
Despite his decision to leave teaching, Rutherford remains concerned about the impact on his students. He acknowledged the difficulty of parting ways with his students but expressed a sense of relief in pursuing a new professional opportunity that would allow him to recharge and focus on his own well-being.
As Rutherford transitions out of teaching, he looks towards the future with optimism and a commitment to prioritising his own mental health. While he recognises the challenges ahead, he remains hopeful about the possibilities that lie ahead in his new career path.
Gabriel Hays, an associate editor for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report..
Arizona teacher retiring frustration students phones addiction worse than drugs.
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