For
the last year and a half, I’ve had the opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder
with early-career teachers, problem-solving about how to keep teachers in the
profession. Teacher attrition is a big
problem nationwide, with 30-40% of new teachers leaving the profession within
their first five years. This is a
problem, not just for the teachers themselves, who have invested significant
time and money in preparing for their role, but also for our profession and our
students. Potentially-strong teachers
leave before getting their heads above water, so the profession loses the
benefit of their talents and knowledge. Their
exit creates a shift toward a less-experienced profession, and this revolving
door means students are frequently taught by teachers who are still figuring
out the ropes.
One
of the things that will keep new teacher in the profession is personal
connections. When we asked early-career
teachers what little things would
make a difference for them, over and over again their requests showed a desire
for someone to individually reach out to them.
They valued professional as well as personal interactions – both seemed
important.
Professional
acknowledgment includes praise from a peer.
A first-year teacher said that such praise was “a little thing that can
make a big difference.” How will you
know what to praise? Conversation,
observation, and samples of student work can reveal a success or praiseworthy
attempt that you can acknowledge. Professional
connections can include a quick, thoughtful note or email with encouraging
words. “Pick-me-up notes from colleagues” can provide a needed boost. Check in on your new teacher friend. They appreciate “genuine concern and an ear
when needed.”
New
teachers also told us that building personal connections is important. We put a lot of energy into developing
relationships with students at the beginning of the year, and new teachers
benefit from the same kind of attention.
“Personal connections are HUGE for teacher success,” they said.
Quick conversations not related to school remind us all that while what
we do within the walls of the school is important to our identity, we are
more. For teachers feeling overwhelmed
by what happens between bells, having someone show interest in their
out-of-school life can be refreshing.
New teachers want to get to know their colleagues (and be known by their
colleagues) “as people, not solely their teacher identify.”
These
small things, both professional and personal, can add up to a big thing – keeping
an energetic teacher in the professional long enough so that she can get her
feet under her. Then we can all benefit
from what they bring to school. If you
work with or know an early-career teacher, take a moment a do a little thing. You may help someone #StayinTeaching.
This week, you might want to
take a look at:
Share this video advice with first-year
teachers:
Mindfulness for teachers and students:
Before
Wonder,
The
Mountain Between Us, and A
Wrinkle in Time come out on the silver screen, check out these ideas
for using an upcoming movie to drive a book study:
Death
to behavior charts! One teacher’s quest
to teach students why and how to do the right thing:
Because you don’t always get this
impression from the media - More Americans Give Top
Grades to Public Schools:
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