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Keeping Good Teachers

Keeping Good Teachers. Presenter: Diana Burroughs. The Problem. 50% of new teachers leave in the first five years. Lambert, Lisa. “Half of Teachers Quit in 5 Years: Working Conditions, Low Salaries Cited” The Washington Post May 9, 2006; Page A07 . Why new teachers leave.

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Keeping Good Teachers

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  1. Keeping Good Teachers Presenter: Diana Burroughs

  2. The Problem 50% of new teachers leave in the first five years Lambert, Lisa. “Half of Teachers Quit in 5 Years: Working Conditions, Low Salaries Cited” The Washington Post May 9, 2006; Page A07

  3. Why new teachers leave New teachers leave for identifiable reasons, including …

  4. Why new teachers leave: Disrupted expectations on both sides New teachers have flawed expectations about their jobs and jobs have flawed expectations about new teachers. Robertson, M., Hancock, D., Anderson, L. A.; “Why Novice Teachers Leave.” Principal Leadership 6.8 (April 2006): 33-36 Feiman-Nemser, S. “Keeping Good Teachers: What New Teachers Need to Learn.” Educational Leadership 60.8 (May 2003): 25-29

  5. Why new teachers leave • Lack of administrative support • Lack of parental support • Classroom management/Behavior problems • Problems with time management and a lack of personal time • Finding chaos rather than order and predictability in school environment Robertson, et al. Williams, Jackie. “Why Great Teachers Stay.” Educational Leadership 60.8 (May 2003): 71-4

  6. Experienced teachers leave too But guess what?

  7. Why teachers leave, in general • Testing and accountability pressures • Increased paperwork • Negative student attitudes • Unsatisfactory working conditions • Lack of parental support • Lack of administrative support Jalongo, M.R. & Heider, K. “Editorial Teacher Attrition: An Issue of National Concern.” Early Childhood Education Journal 33.6 (August 2006): 379-380

  8. Why teachers leave, in general • Lack of resources/ Out-of-pocket expenses • Low salaries • Inadequate preparation • Lack of mentoring support in early years • Low status of the profession in US society • Retirement Jalongo, M.R. & Heider, K. Williams, Jackie.

  9. What can be done to keep new teachers in the classroom? Induction programs are key

  10. The single most important element in any induction program: MENTORING Experienced teachers help new teachers grown into their roles

  11. Mentoring MUSTs • Time to meet and develop relationship • Two-way class visits • Accepting, non-judgmental responses • Guidelines for growth Watkins, Paul. “The Principal's Role in Attracting, Retaining, and Developing New Teachers: Three Strategies for Collaboration and Support.” The Clearing House 79. 2 (November/December 2005): 83-87

  12. Mentoring Ideas • Have after school reflection seminars • Assign a team of mentors to each new teacher • Mentors can help navigate parent issues Polanksy, H. & Semmel, M. “Hiring the Best and Retaining Them” School Administrator 63.8 (2006): 46-47

  13. More Mentoring Ideas • Career-change new teachers need extensive mentoring too • Allow for possibility of extending mentoring relationship • Mentoring is a learned skill. Mentors need training! Watkins, Paul. Alvy, Harvey. “Preventing the Loss of Wisdom In Our Schools: Respecting and Retaining Successful Veteran Teachers.” Phi Delta Kappan 86.10 (June 2005): 764-6, 771 Feiman-Nemser, S.

  14. Induction DO NOT Saddle new teachers with the worst schedules, the worst students, and the worst teaching assignments Alvy, Harvey.

  15. Induction DOs: • Give a reduced or less stressful teaching load • Administration should assist with basic tasks of teaching, including classroom management, paperwork, and personal time management • Hold professional development workshops for new teachers Alvy, Harvey. Renurd, Lisa. “Keeping Good Teachers: Setting New Teachers Up for Failure … Or Success.” Educational Leadership 60.8 (May 2003): 62-64 Robertson, et al. Feiman-Nemser, S.

  16. Benefits of Induction Programs • New teachers perform better in the short and long term • New teachers are more likely to stay • Experienced teachers benefit from mentoring relationships too • Sense of school community and professional relationships are strengthened

  17. Something important to keep in mind People become teachers because they value having an emotionally and spiritually fulfilling job more then they value making a lot of money

  18. So what makes teachers feel fulfilled? • Evidence of having exerted a positive impact on students • Right balance between autonomy in the classroom and connectedness with other staff • Positive work environment Jalongo, M.R. & Heider, K. Williams, Jackie.

  19. What makes a work environment positive? • Challenges • Appreciation and respect • Good collegial relationships amongst teachers • Physical surroundings

  20. A little about challenges — Teachers learn and grow from appropriate challenges much like students do. Sargent, Barbara. “Keeping Good Teachers: Finding Good Teachers and Keeping Them.” Educational Leadership 60.8 (May 2003): 44-47

  21. More specifically … • Awards/Recognition • Work with the PTA to create ongoing teacher appreciation projects. • Use the Internet to brainstorm. The possibilities are endless!

  22. Ideas for fostering collegial relationships • Professional development book clubs • Social events – dinners, retreats, informal and optional happy hours • Faculty softball games • Mentoring programs Sargent, Barbara.

  23. Ideas for physical surroundings • Improve facilities with renovations, new buildings, etc. • Makeover the teachers’ lounge • Improve landscaping • Tap into PTA for ideas and volunteers Williams, Jackie.

  24. A little about TeachersCount • “Behind every famous person is a fabulous teacher” campaign • We do nationally what I am encouraging you to do within your schools…

  25. Make Teachers Feel • Respected • Valued • Professional • Fulfilled

  26. Laura Bush and her second grade teacher, Charlene Gnagy

  27. Marg Helgenberger and her high school English teacher, Mariann vonRein

  28. Tony Shalhoub and his acting teacher, Tom Power

  29. Eddie Falco and her high school music teacher, Sandy Valerio

  30. Virginia Madsen and her theatre teacher, Suzanne Adams

  31. Thank You

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