The attrition of classroom teachers has garnered significant attention due to its impact on education. While past discourse focused on pay as the driving force behind departures, our study delves into the qualitative aspects of attrition. Reviewing a dataset spanning 40+ years, we explore multifaceted reasons behind teachers considering leaving the profession. Our findings, derived from 1,175 data points from Texas State Teachers Association members, reveal seven prevalent themes: Compensation, Workload, Support and Respect, Students, Leadership, Working Conditions and Safety, and Culture. These themes interconnect, painting a comprehensive picture of teachers feeling undervalued, overworked, and lacking support. School leaders and policymakers are crucial agents in mitigating attrition by fostering supportive environments and addressing systemic issues. This study underscores the imperative for informed policy decisions and further research to amplify teacher voices and improve retention efforts.