Nate Armbruster
A former teacher gained widespread attention after sharing her story about quitting her job as a teacher and her feelings may not be what you would expect.
In her recent video on TikTok, Maggie Perkins who goes by @millenialmsfrizz, reflected on the major transition she has experienced in the past year – from being a teacher to now working at Costco. “I used to be a teacher, now I work at Costco,” she said with a smile.
Though it may have been a difficult adjustment for many, Maggie seems to be adapting to her new job just fine. She even admitted that she’s enjoying not having a winter break for the first time. “How do I feel? I feel great,” she confidently declared.
“I just worked 7 days straight including Christmas Eve, and I feel fine. When I was a teacher, it was like I was just surviving every moment, and by the time I got to Christmas break I was so exhausted that I was literally sick. So, yeah, it feels pretty good to not be a teacher at this time.”
@itsmaggieperkins I used to be a teacher and now I work at Costco. This is my first year not having a winter break. I do not miss it at all. My pace of my work life now is so much better, I am not sick or exhausted like I used to be when I was a teacher. When I was a teacher I used my winter break basically to recover and go into the next semester of just surviving. fformerteachertteacherquittokccostcotiktokrretailworkereexteachertiktokccareertransitiont#teachersonbreak
Many viewers shared similar experiences in the comments sections. Another former teacher responded in support of Maggie’s decision to leave teaching.
Another noted how their energy changed after moving to a new job.
Many others agreed, expressing how much better they feel after their decision.
Teachers leaving their jobs is becoming more common. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, more than 300,000 teachers left their jobs between February 2020 and March 2022.
Maggie elaborated on her decision to leave her job as a teacher in an interview.
“I left because I realized that conditions in education are getting worse, with no signs that they will get better any time soon. I left because my success as an educator was measured by how well I ignored systemic issues, how compliant I was, and how much trauma I could endure while smiling and doing it ‘for the kids.'”
Maggie also mentioned that the main difference she sees between the two jobs is how her time and boundaries were respected.
“At Costco, I am able to walk away from my job after clocking out. Even if a member is unhappy, I am not going to be emailed by them, harassed by them or pressured to do something unethical to appease them,” she said. “As a teacher, I was under constant pressure from parents and administrators, and was anxious all the time.”
Some viewers seem uncomfortable with how happy she seems with the job change.
“It’s disruptive for people to see me happy in my career at Costco because it defies their idea of a servant — a teacher who gives their whole self to the classroom and to the students,” she said in the clip. “It makes people uncomfortable that I can walk away from draining myself and be happier in a job — that for them — has less merit.”
The video has resonated with many, as her inspiring words serve as a reminder that even the biggest changes in life can feel manageable when you remain optimistic and adaptable.
