Why Did You Leave? A Content Analysis of Comments to Former Teacher Posts on TikTok

Motivations for commenting on social media vary greatly and are driven by multiple factors including personal interests, political leaning, and algorithmic influence. This study used a thematic content analysis of comments on the TikTok platform to explore how users respond to videos created by former teachers sharing their stories of leaving the profession. Comment data were collected from a sample of posts explicitly sharing narratives of leaving and analyzed through a four-step mixed methods process. The researchers noted that words of affirmation had the highest representation in all comments, and included thoughts of encouragement, solidarity, acknowledgment, confirmation, and support. Users seeking connections had the next highest representation and involved user responses to extend the post to different situations, build on the ideas conveyed, or share personal feelings. Finally, discussions on self-care were the third highest and represented comments that focused on taking care of personal needs and thinking of self apart from a profession. By analyzing comments and engagement metrics, the study revealed key patterns on how users connect with others, express support, share personal experiences, and engage in discussions. The findings may offer insights into how social media platforms like TikTok may serve as spaces for emotional support, critical discourse, and the amplification of systemic issues within the education sector. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on digital engagement and its implications for understanding educational challenges like teacher turnover.