There’s no doubt that teaching has changed dramatically over the last several years. Most educators would say it’s gotten harder, as reflected by the rising number of teachers quitting the profession and many never entering it at all.

Simply put, there aren’t many veteran teachers left who remember what it was like before technology and culture changed everything.

28-year teaching vet reflects on big changes over last 20 years

One teacher who has been on the ride for over two decades and is still around to give us the inside scoop on what teaching is really like today is Doctor Mary Pettit. She started teaching in 1998 and recently took to social media to reflect specifically on the big changes she’s seen lately.

Pettit says teaching in 2026 differs drastically from teaching in 2006 in five important ways.

“Those of you teaching for 10 or 20 years probably feel this today in your bones. Being a teacher in 2026 is completely different than being a teacher in 2006,” she says. In the caption, she calls it “a different profession.”

@doc_pettit_teach TEACHING IN 2026 vs. 2006 A DIFFERENT........

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