Build a Better School: The Power of Retaining Teachers
Dr. Christopher S. CulverIn today's educational landscape, retaining teachers has become as crucial as recruiting new ones. High turnover rates disrupt student learning and burden the remaining staff, making it imperative for schools to focus on creating an environment where teachers feel valued, supported, and motivated.
I have worked in spaces as a teacher and administrator where the culture was great, but also where the culture was horrific. What I recognized is the amount of turnover in the spaces where culture was detrimental to success and mental health. By fostering a positive school and classroom culture, schools can ensure that teachers are not only retained but also thrive, ultimately benefiting the entire educational community.
Our students, like our teachers, want to be in spaces where they feel like they belong and are part of a community. Remember, the school belongs to all of us, collectively, and it takes each of us to make it the best it can be. I spent three years researching school culture and its collective impact on teachers and students. More specifically, I looked at how school culture impacts teacher retention. It comes down to relationships, trust, empowerment, autonomy, and recognition. Ironically, as I researched and learned more about Generation Z and Generation Alpha, they want the same.
Our teachers and students want a positive culture where they have strong relationships, high levels of trust, empowerment, and autonomy, and are also recognized for their contributions and the value they add to the collective space. How do we do that?
Relationships:
Classroom: Create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment where students feel safe and valued. Engage in team-building activities and encourage peer collaboration to strengthen bonds. Take time to get to know your students, understand their story, and forge a strong relationship. Ask questions, seek to understand, and glean insight into their world. Building strong relationships lays the foundation for a supportive and cohesive classroom community.
Schoolwide: Build a sense of community among teachers, staff, students, and parents. Organize events and activities that bring people together and promote a sense of belonging. Elevate voice and choice. Get to know your people. Ask questions. Strong relationships among all stakeholders create a supportive and collaborative school environment.
Trust:
Classroom: Establish a classroom atmosphere of mutual respect and reliability. Be consistent and fair in your interactions, listen actively to students' concerns, and provide constructive feedback. Set high expectations with high levels of accountability. Trust is the cornerstone of a positive classroom culture, where students feel confident and secure in their learning journey.
Schoolwide: Lead with transparency and integrity. Communicate openly, involve staff in decision-making processes, and be consistent in your actions to create a trustworthy environment. Set high expectations, clear goals, and have high levels of accountability for all staff members. Trust between leadership and staff is essential for a harmonious and productive school culture.
Empowerment:
Classroom: Give students opportunities to take on leadership roles, make choices about their learning, and participate in classroom decision-making. Encourage them to set goals and take ownership of their progress. Elevate voice and choice as much as possible. Empowering students fosters a sense of responsibility and independence, enhancing their engagement and motivation.
Schoolwide: Provide opportunities for professional development, encourage innovative teaching methods, and support teachers in taking leadership roles within the school. Trust their expertise and judgment. Elevate voice and choice as much as possible. Allow them to be active members of the school community. Empowering teachers boosts their confidence and job satisfaction, leading to improved teaching quality and student outcomes.
Autonomy:
Classroom: Allow students to explore topics of interest, choose from various learning activities, and work at their own pace. Provide guidance and support while giving them the freedom to learn in ways that suit them best. Promoting autonomy encourages creativity and critical thinking, making learning more meaningful and enjoyable. Additionally, this helps our students understand empathy and compassion which are critical for our digital natives.
Schoolwide: Allow teachers the freedom to design their curriculum and instructional methods. Encourage creativity and flexibility in teaching approaches to meet the diverse needs of students. Promoting autonomy for teachers fosters innovation and adaptation, making the school a dynamic place of learning.
Recognition:
Classroom: Regularly acknowledge and celebrate students' efforts and accomplishments, both big and small. Use praise, awards, and public recognition to motivate and inspire continuous improvement. Recognizing achievements boosts students' self-esteem and encourages a positive attitude towards learning. Remember, celebrate students no matter how small. Growth is growth and we want to celebrate their accomplishments. This helps foster self-belief and confidence which is necessary for our Gen Z/Gen Alpha students.
Schoolwide: Implement systems to regularly acknowledge and reward the hard work and successes of teachers, staff, and students. Celebrate milestones and create a culture of appreciation and recognition. Recognizing achievements reinforces positive behavior and cultivates a motivated and committed school community.
The Power of Retaining Teachers
Over the last few years, teacher turnover rates have been a significant concern, especially in high-poverty and urban districts. Nationally, teacher turnover increased by 4 percentage points above pre-pandemic levels, reaching 10% by the end of the 2021-2022 school year (Diliberti & Scwartz, 2023). Principal turnover was even higher, around 16% nationally (Hartbakin & Nguyen, 2023).
Schools serving higher proportions of economically disadvantaged students saw the highest turnover rates. For instance, nearly 30% of teachers left high-poverty schools between October 2022 and October 2023. Additionally, new teachers (with seven or fewer years of experience) left at alarming rates, with 30% of new teachers and 26% of those with 3-7 years of experience leaving their schools after the 2022-23 school year (ER Strategies, 2024).
Retaining teachers is not just about keeping staff on board; it’s about creating a stable, thriving educational environment. When teachers feel supported and valued, they are more likely to stay, reducing turnover and ensuring continuity for students. Experienced teachers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, enhancing the overall quality of education. Retention is the new form of recruitment. By focusing on relationships, trust, empowerment, autonomy, and recognition, schools can create an environment where teachers and students alike can flourish, paving the way for sustained educational success.
The school year has already started for some and is gearing up for others. Thank you for answering the call to serve and lead. We are better because of it. As you map out your year, recognize that there is power in people over things and support over objects. If I, or others, can help, please let us know. We are all in this together. Keep being awesome. I am grateful for you.
