> The departures come alongside protests this year in six states where teachers in some cases shut down schools over tight budgets, small raises and poor conditions.

Even as a child myself growing up in the US education system, this was a common topic where even the students knew teachers were underpaid and education in general had a lot less money in it -- but at the same time I don't ever recall schools shutting down because of it. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be a student now and being told school is closed because my teachers are protesting.

Not really sure why I'm getting downvoted so much, just wanted to express empathy.