An Arizona high school teacher has resigned, citing his students' rampant phone use as the primary reason for his declining mental health. Mitchell Rutherford, a biology teacher at Sahuaro High School for over ten years, decided to quit after numerous unsuccessful attempts to disconnect his students from their devices led to severe stress.
바카라śI have been struggling with mental health this year mostly because of what I identified as basically phone addiction with the students,바카라ť Rutherford shared with KVOA.
Rutherford believes the issue stems from the isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he says led to a breakdown in social skills among students. He noticed a significant shift in his students' behaviour this past Fall, recognising that they were increasingly disengaged and reliant on their phones.
바카라śThis year something shifted, and it바카라™s just like they are numbing themselves, they are just checking out of society, they just can바카라™t put it away,바카라ť he explained.
By October, half of Rutherford's students were failing his class and expressed indifference towards their education. This lack of motivation contributed to Rutherford's growing anxiety and depression, making him question his effectiveness as a teacher.
Sahuaro High School's policy discourages phone use in class, but enforcement is left to individual teachers. Rutherford compared the students' phone usage to drug addiction, describing it as even more pervasive than substances like opioids and cocaine.
바카라śOpioids, obviously a huge problem, cocaine, heroin, all of those drugs, alcohol, it바카라™s all a big problem, but like sugar, even greater than that, and then phones, even greater than that,바카라ť he said.
In an effort to combat this, Rutherford offered incentives for students to reduce their screen time. He implemented activities such as monitoring screen usage, discussing the importance of sleep, and creating a "phone jail" where students could place their devices during class. Despite these efforts, the addiction persisted.
Rutherford even introduced nature walks and meditation techniques but found that students clung to their phones like an alcoholic would to a bottle, reinforcing his belief in the severity of the problem.
A study by Common Sense Media last year found that 97% of students use their cell phones during school hours. This issue has sparked broader conversations, with Governor Kathy Hochul recently proposing a ban on smartphones in schools, suggesting students use basic phones that can only send texts.
Parents shared Rutherford's frustration but had mixed feelings about his resignation.
바카라śI kind of agree with him, not really agree with him for quitting, but I agree with this stance he바카라™s taking because he바카라™s not able to do his job,바카라ť parent Chris Anderson told the NBC affiliate.
Bernadette Sauced, another parent, added, 바카라śI think it바카라™s understandable. I feel the frustration, I have two teenage boys so they are on their phones constantly, and it바카라™s a big distraction.바카라ť
Rutherford's last day of teaching was May 23. Reflecting on his decision, he called it bittersweet but necessary for his well-being.
바카라śPart of me feels like I바카라™m abandoning these kids. I tell kids to do hard things all the time and now I바카라™m leaving?바카라ť he said. 바카라śBut I decided I바카라™m going to try something else that doesn바카라™t completely consume me and drain me.바카라ť
