10 Ways To Get Teachers To Stay

Educators who are considering leaving the profession (understandably so):

What would need to happen to get you to stay?

Just curious. Mainly because I got two kids and they need good teachers. 😩

— Val Brown (She/Her) (@ValeriaBrownEdu) January 4, 2022

It would be INCREDIBLE to never buy another crayon, piece of paper or basic supply. 2k in the negative this year. Additionally, I would vote to do away with initiatives with acronyms (PBL, PLC, etc.) Focusing on the joy of learning & the kids is all I really care about.

— Adrienne Barber (@Adriennella) January 5, 2022

More time during contract hours for tasks that require sustained concentration, like planning and grading. I would feel fairly compensated and better equipped to handle all of *this* (gestures wildly) if I could go home and have time to truly rest.

— Michelle Bodey (@BodeyBio) January 4, 2022

I left for many reasons, but the main thing was that I taught something different EVERY SINGLE YEAR. I was a new teacher, and I was never able to establish any kind of foundation, because whenever there was a problem course or subject, they plunked me in it. 🧵

— Anna 🍌 (@msalofstrand) January 5, 2022

For my life to be valued, protected so that I could comfortably and safely help students succeed and thrive. I should not feel, or be, expendable. Children are not expendable.

— Anita Gilliland (@gilliland_ac) January 5, 2022

1. Eliminate meetings that do not impact the quality in my classroom and only justify quasi-admin positions.
2. Eliminate one-size-fits-all, time wasting PD. If I have to individualize learning, so do PD “specialists.”

— Potts (@Potts09730947) January 5, 2022

3. Increase professional recognition. So many admin and coaches are just plain condescending and dismissive of our talents and knowledge.
4. Stop the expectation for unpaid labor. Working to the contract is professional.

— Potts (@Potts09730947) January 5, 2022

I just want to feel respected in my profession. I want to be trusted and not micromanaged. I want to hear reasonable explanations for why I'm told no when I want to implement a great idea.

— Drained Ontario Teacher (@SoOverItAll1) January 4, 2022

I don’t want to sound cheesy, but bringing back the joy into classrooms. Doing something fun (with learning) bc it’s a great idea or bc the kids are into it. Laughter. Joy. Wonder.

And I’m middle school.

— tgirl trying not to be sarcastic (@tranewman) January 4, 2022

Just tell me that you appreciate me! Tell me that if a parent is unreasonable and attacking me verbally, you will have my back. Tell me that if a student disrupts my classroom enough that I am unable to teach, you will assist me.

— Gail Mullin (@GailMullinop) January 5, 2022

Increase pay, shorten/restructure school hours, smaller class sizes, procurement cards to buy supplies, self directed PD (district provides a broad range of trainings and we choose what’s relevant to us).

— Jay Jones (@coppinPhilz) January 5, 2022

Pay increase. Mental health days. Empathy from leadership and the public. Power redistribution so we’re not always at the mercy of people who aren’t in the classroom. Trust that we’re professionals and know what we’re doing.

— Liz Kleinrock (she/her) (@teachntransform) January 4, 2022