3 Things You Need to Know to About in Order to Increase Teacher Retention

🧊Brain Freeze Bites

Here’s what you can expect in this weeks edition of the School Culture Scoop

• Recognizing the shortage of teachers

• Establishing a strong onboarding process with ongoing support

• Offering choice-based and needs-aligned professional development

🍦Scoop of the Week

Video Summary: We discuss the importance of increasing teacher retention in schools, citing the national teacher shortage as a major issue even before the pandemic. I highlight the challenges of toxic school culture and emphasizes three crucial factors for addressing teacher retention: recognizing the shortage of teachers, establishing a strong onboarding process with ongoing support, and offering choice-based and needs-aligned professional development. I share my success in retaining new teachers through these strategies and encourages leaders to implement similar approaches in their own schools. Conducting a root cause analysis is also emphasized to understand factors affecting teacher satisfaction and engagement.

[00:00:00] So, picture this: the national teacher shortage – it's not a new problem, folks, it's been around way before the pandemic hit. I've been in the trenches, seen the toxic school culture firsthand, and that's what pushed me to become a school leader myself. In this section, we're gonna talk about three things leaders need to know about tackling teacher retention.

[00:05:00] Teacher turnover – it's a real issue, and a lot of times, it's tied to a toxic school culture. We've gotta plan ahead and dig deep to get to the root of the problem. I've seen schools with more new faces than a high school reunion – 24 new staff members, including 13 fresh-out-of-the-box teachers! Let's prioritize addressing the root cause, so we're not stuck playing musical chairs with vacant positions.

[00:10:00] Now, here's the deal – creating a healthy culture and supporting teachers is where it's at. Strong onboarding for new teachers is a must, and that means a killer orientation, addressing their questions, and concerns. We're talking daily huddles, a private community space, mentorship, and a new teacher Academy. That's how you show support, my friends.

[00:15:00] Wanna know a secret? I boosted teacher retention by beefing up our onboarding process and offering choice-based, needs-aligned professional development. We didn't just talk the talk; we walked the walk. We partnered up with our teachers, figured out what they needed, and provided hands-on, practical learning. Result? We kept nine out of thirteen new teachers, saving the school a cool $270,000. It's doable, trust me. I'm inviting you to implement these strategies at your own schools.

[00:20:00] Last but not least, let's do some root cause analysis. It's all about understanding what's really bugging our teachers and making sure our schools have the right routine and culture to keep them happy. Leave your questions in the comments, and let's keep this conversation going. And hey, if you wanna dig deeper, schedule a call with me and let's do a school culture audit. It's time to make a change and keep our amazing educators where they belong – in the classroom.

🍒Toppings Bar

Simple teacher morale boosters

Thank You Notes: Encourage students and parents to write thank you notes to teachers and staff members. School leaders can provide students with thank you note templates or supplies, and make sure to recognize and display the notes in a visible location, such as a bulletin board or school-wide newsletter. This small gesture can have a big impact on teacher morale and show appreciation for their hard work.

🍨Sweet Treat Spotlight

Sundaes are better when shared with friends

Learn how I led and implemented a school-based new teacher academy that increased new teacher retention by 70% and saved a large title 1 middle school campus $270,000 within 1 year. Refer someone in your network to this newsletter and get complimentary access to this case study below.

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