The Gap Year Goes Mainstream Why More High School Grads Are Pressing Pause Before College
Blog Post Educator Perspective Just a few years ago, taking a “gap year” after high school was often seen as
June 11, 2025
I remember the day I first stepped into my classroom—bright-eyed, heart-pounding, with lesson plans and dreams of changing the world one student at a time. I clung to my “why” that first year like a lifeline. I was here to make a difference. To be the teacher I once needed. To light the spark in a child who hadn’t yet discovered their brilliance.
But let’s be honest: that “why” can get buried over time. Between standardized testing, shifting policies, long hours, and emotional exhaustion, it’s easy to feel like we’re drowning in everything except the reason we came. Many educators have had seasons where they questioned whether they could keep going. You are not alone.
Yet somehow, many continue to stay.
There are small moments that remind teachers—this is why I teach. A quiet student who finally raised their hand. A scribbled note that said, “You make school feel safe.” A parent tearfully thanking you for believing in their child. These moments don’t show up in data charts or evaluations, but they are everything.
If you’re reading this and feeling worn down, I want you to know it’s okay to feel that way. Teaching is a profession of the heart; anything that requires your whole heart will stretch you. But it will also grow you in ways few jobs can.
So how do we rediscover our “why” when the burnout feels louder than the joy?
Start by going back to the beginning. Reflect on what brought you here. Was it a teacher who changed your life? A love for learning? A mission to create equity? Write it down. Say it out loud. Share it with a trusted colleague. Naming your why is the first step in reclaiming it.
Next, reconnect with your students—not as test scores or tasks, but as people. Take a breath during the chaos to notice them. Laugh with them. Learn from them. You’ll be amazed at how much humanity lives in a single classroom.
Also, find your people. Teaching can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Lean into your community. That might mean a team at your school, an online teacher group, or a friend who just gets it. We are stronger together.
And here’s where education companies and vendors come in. If you’re in this space, you have a powerful opportunity to help teachers hold on to their “why.” Don’t just offer products—offer support that feels real. Build tools that simplify, not complicate. Respect teachers’ time and expertise. Provide ongoing, meaningful professional development that nourishes, not drains. Create platforms for teachers to share their voices, victories, and frustrations. Most importantly, be partners in the work—not just service providers.
The ripple effect is tremendous when vendors see themselves as co-creators in this mission. When we feel seen, supported, and respected, we can pour more into our students—and that is how we all win.
This job is hard. But it’s true service-oriented work. The kind that leaves fingerprints on hearts and echoes in lives long after the final bell. You may never fully see the difference you’re making—but it’s real.
So, to every teacher holding on: I see you. I believe in you. And I hope today that you remember your why and feel it in your bones all over again.
You’re still changing the world. One child, one day, one classroom at a time.
Meredith Biesinger is a licensed dyslexia therapist in Mississippi, in addition to being an experienced classroom teacher and K-12 administrator. Meredith also works as a consultant, where she bridges the bridge the gap between K-12 school districts and ed-tech organizations. With a passion for literacy, she is also a professional writer and syndicated author. With a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and a B.S. in English Education and Creative Writing, she has had rich and diverse opportunities to teach students and education professionals in different parts of the country as well as overseas.
Blog Post Educator Perspective Just a few years ago, taking a “gap year” after high school was often seen as
Blog Post Educator Perspective I remember the day I first stepped into my classroom—bright-eyed, heart-pounding, with lesson plans and dreams
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