Mitchell Rutherford, who taught biology at Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Ariz. for over a decade, says he called it quits after multiple failed attempts to pry his students from their devices ...

Teens spend much of their days on their phones — many of them during school. Here's how schools and teachers are trying to fix that.

Mitchell Rutherford has taught biology at a public high school for 11 years. He’s quitting after this semester because he’s tired of trying to engage students who are lost in their phones.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Rutherford, a 35-year-old teacher who has taught for more than a decade, was one of those educators pushed to leave.

Teachers Emily Brisse, Mitchell Rutherford and Abbey Osborne have competed with smartphones for students' attention.

Teachers Emily Brisse, Mitchell Rutherford and Abbey Osborn have competed with smartphones for students' attention. Image: Emily Brisse, Mitchell Rutherford and Abbey Osborn/Compiled by NPR ...