Ways to Retain High Performing Teachers

By Vicky Dearing, MCC, M. Ed.

male teacher holding booksWant to know what high-performing teachers say they desire to have in order to stay working at their current schools? The New Teacher Project report of 2012 says that three of four high-performing teachers with plans to leave their schools would stay if their top reasons for leaving improved. Here is what high performing teachers say they want. Notice how these desires align with schools where leaders demonstrate coach-like behaviors as they interact with staff, including having conversations where reflective feedback is a natural course of action by the leader.

How does this list align with your own actions to intentionally provide a culture where highflying teachers are eager to work and support the overall goals of the school and the school district? What else would you add to this list?

FEEDBACK AND DEVELOPMENT
  1. Provide me with regular, positive feedback.
  2. Help me identify areas of development.
  3. Give me critical feedback about my performance informally.
RECOGNITION
  1. Recognize my accomplishments publically.
  2. Inform me that I am high performing.
RESPONSIBILITY AND ADVANCEMENT
  1. Identify opportunities or paths for teacher leader roles.
  2. Put me in charge of something important.
RESOURCES
  1. Provide me with access to additional resources for my classroom.
Posted in Leadership

About Vicky Dearing, MCC, M. Ed.