Orange County teachers express frustrations

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Already this year, dozens of teachers in the Orange County Public Schools have quit, fed up by what they say is a failing system.

So far this week, four teachers have walked out.  Rosemary De Grasia is one of those teachers.

"I think people are just tired of fighting. We want the best for our students and families, and we're not able to do that," said De Grasia.

She decided to walk away after 32 years of teaching. Monday was her last day teaching second grade at Brookshire Elementary School in Winter Park. She said she's not alone and issued this warning to parents.

"Their child's teacher is five minutes from walking away from their profession and never coming back," she said.

Wendy Doromal is the president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association. She told us that, since the start of the school year, several teachers have quit. 

Doroma said, "Teachers don't see their students as test scores; they see them as the future."

This frustration is gaining national attention. The Washington Post published an article titled: "This teacher had enough. This is her 'bitter' resignation letter."

In that letter, former OCPS teacher Maren Hicks explained why she decided to quit.

"Children are not data points. Teachers are not cattle herders. The majority of you at the top should feel a deep sense of shame for placing your political gains above the intrinsic aims of public education." 

Doromal fears if this trend continues, it will be the children who suffer.  We asked OCPS for comment.  A spokeswoman sent us a statement reading in part:

"While we can't comment on every individual situation, we are proud that our teacher retention rates have increased over the prior year and are among the highest in the country when compared to other urban districts."

The union will be holding a town hall next week on this issue.