Winning Strategies to Retain K-12 Educators and Administrators and Help Them Grow

We’ve all seen reports on the high numbers of educators leaving the profession, and the resulting national teacher shortage. An alarming 86% of schools struggled to hire qualified teachers for the 2023-24 school year.

And the reasons are clear. According to a 2024 Pew Research survey, 77% of K-12 public school teachers say their job is frequently stressful, 68% say it’s overwhelming, and 70% say their school is understaffed. What’s more, 84% say there’s not enough time in their day to get all their work done.

Now the better news. There are definitely factors that keep educators happily in their current schools or districts.

We asked educators and administrators in roles throughout school districts questions about why they stay in their job, what their organizations are doing right, and what leaders can do better. Roles of people we surveyed included positions in teaching and classroom support, data and technology management, administrative and executive support, and leadership and administration.

Here’s what they told us:

1. What’s Your School or District Doing to Make You Want to Stay There?

When asked about what their organizations are doing to keep them as employees, the top responses were around feeling supported and appreciated with staff enjoying diverse personalities and even a fun atmosphere. Positive experiences included an appreciation and celebration of staff contributions in a warm, inviting, and family-like environment. Educators like feeling valued and appreciated by both colleagues and leadership.

Educators and administrators told us: 

• “The office I work in has so many different personalities and is a great place to work! We all make each other laugh and have fun while still working as a team to accomplish our goals.” — Allison Birbal, Program Specialist for Applied Technology, St. Johns County School District 
• “They work hard to keep the staff in my building happy and feeling appreciated in their roles, which in turn makes for an awesome place to work with a team of dedicated and supportive co-workers.” — Lesli Whitney, Helpdesk and Software Application Assistant, Andover Unified School District 385
• “(I appreciate) the amount of support, opportunities for growth, and push to have difficult conversations that actually help us grow as a school.” — Sara Burnett, Middle School Assistant Principal, St. Augustine Preparatory Academy

Educators also expressed “opportunities for growth and professional development” and “team environment and collaboration” as top actions their schools and districts take to ensure satisfied and fulfilled employees.  

• “With Indiana leading the majority of changes within the Ed-Fi data standards, data administrators/reporters are being forced to the front of that conversation. The leadership, at the district and building levels, have been incredible supports for me to take the lead in developing a data governance system within the district.” — Stacy Cunningham, State Reporting/Online Curriculum Specialist, Dekalb County Central United School District 
• “My district gives me the freedom and flexibility to lead professional development sessions for various roles outside of the curriculum department.” — Kimberly McClish, District Instructional Technologist, Killeen Independent School District 
• “I love how my district’s leadership is focused on keeping “Students First in All We Do.” Every decision that we make is driven by our collective goal to serve our 15,000+ students and keep them at the forefront of all of our decisions!” — Meredith Weipert, Director of Testing and Accountability/PowerSchool, Randolph County School System

2. How Does Your Organization Create a Positive Work Culture that Helps Keep You There?

In any job or professional space, having a positive culture impacts the work experience. This is also true in schools. The student body, teachers, and administrators benefit from having a space that values their contributions and acknowledges their differences.

When asked about what their organizations are doing to foster a more positive work culture, top responses were around feeling supported and appreciated. They said they’d like an emphasis on mentorship programs, community-building activities, and celebrating staff. They’d like to work in a setting with a strong sense of camaraderie and support among staff and leadership.

Educators and administrators told us: 

• “Our leaders let employees know that they are appreciated. Our superintendent, for example, knows the names of almost all employees and makes them feel seen in ways that many have never before experienced.” — Meredith Weipert 
• “The collaboration between our union and district to support new teachers as they enter so that we may retain great talent is critical to creating the positive work culture that we need to be successful.” — Sara Baldassar, Classroom Teacher (7/8 grades), Cleveland Metropolitan School District 
• “Our district offers support for new teachers through mentorship programs and professional learning to assist in their first years of teaching. This program has been successful and it has been expanded to any teacher who needs support regardless of their number of years teaching.” — Allison Birbal

Educators also highlighted “communication and feedback” and “community and team building” at the top of the list of what their leaders are doing to build positive school culture. 

• “We have food trucks, fun meetings, and everyone truly cares about the community.” — Leah Kirk, SIS Administrator, Paul Public Charter School – Washington, D.C.
• “We are truly a work family. Our whole district always has your best interest in mind.” — Jillian King, Front Office Coordinator, GREEN Charter School Spartanburg
• “We are actively working to demonstrate positive relationships at the top so it trickles all the way down the line. If admin doesn’t work well together, it is inevitable that you will have problems all the way down to the students.” — Holly Kay, Data Coordinator/Education Support, Alberta Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Schools

3. How Do You Think Districts Can Create a Better Work Culture?

A positive school culture provides support through encouraging relationships and healthy communication among students, staff, and administrators. Having a positive climate impacts how safe students feel in the classroom environment, directly influencing their success.

When we asked educators for their own ideas for fostering a positive work culture, again, the top response involved recognition and appreciation. They provided recommendations like more recognition for staff achievements, regular praise, and acknowledgement of contributions. Examples include more recognition for staff who go above and beyond, and actions that make teachers feel more seen and heard.

Educators and administrators told us: 

• “More recognition to those people who go above and beyond to improve our district or themselves. We do an amazing job of celebrating our students, but it would be nice to hear about our staff achievements as well. While we occasionally hear about one, I’m sure there are more people and achievements to celebrate.” — Lesli Whitney 
• “I would love to start a leadership academy within our district. Learning about leadership characteristics, self-reflection, and change management has the potential to strengthen every employee and prepare those who are interested in future district opportunities.” — Kimberly Nidy, Director of Technology, North Canton City School District
• “I think we need to ask our employees more often what would make their jobs better and what they need to be or feel more successful. We need a yearly needs assessment for both certified and classified staff, and my team is working to make that happen. Quality, satisfied employees help make our students and system more successful.” — Rachel Poovey, Assistant Superintendent, Trussville City Schools 
• “Climate and culture is everyone’s responsibility. The one thing we can all do each day is speak positively about others within our organization and outside about our organization.” — Christopher McGee, Assistant Superintendent, Maplewood – Richmond Heights School District

Learn more how school HR professionals can better support teachers and staff, resulting in greater job satisfaction and higher retention rates.