Reflect on Success

As accountability has increased, it has become evident that the relationship between teacher quality and results for students is significant. Yet, many new teachers are leaving our schools and the profession every year, particularly in lower-performing schools.

Several studies have attempted to identify why teachers leave and how to stem their turnover, but few have identified the quality of teachers who are departing. As in any profession, not all attrition is bad, but whether bad or good, it has a negative impact on student performance and on the financial resources of a district.

We know a new teacher’s decision to stay or leave a particular school is contingent on a variety of factors—ranging from teachers’ personal characteristics to their satisfaction with the school’s culture. However, in all cases, the key seems to lie in the level of success he/she has in raising students’ academic performances. For this reason, giving new teachers the support necessary to succeed is critical.

Now that the school year is almost over, take the opportunity to reflect with your New Educator, focusing on challenges that he/she overcame and successes he/she has accomplished during the school year. This simple conversation may be the difference in a quality young person deciding to stay or leave your school or the profession.

Source: Dr. Doug Miller, HRD-Program Facilitator