Retaining and Sustaining Takes Support and Compassion

By Chris LeGrande, OASSP/OMLEA Executive Director

In the midst of a workforce shortage of historic proportions, it is more important than ever that school leaders provide social, emotional, and pedagogical support to retain quality educators. In the not-so-distant past, applicants for vacant positions were abundant and the number of students graduating from teacher preparation programs plentiful. Today, consider yourself fortunate if you receive a handful of potential candidates who are neither emergency/alternatively certified nor have been nonrenewed at a previous school. It behooves us as administrators to coach and mentor the staff we have since the pipeline is shallow. In other words, work to equip the individuals within your organization with the necessary skill sets that will enable them to flourish.

This brings us to the second helpful hint—providing teachers with ongoing professional development that is meaningful and relevant. For teachers new to the district, this entails some type of onboarding program prior to the beginning of the new academic year. Subsequent monthly meetings with new staff members provide continuous support and allow question-andanswer sessions to address potential pitfalls and struggles. Moreover, by partnering with the K20 Center at the University of Oklahoma, teachers have access to authentic, studentcentered learning activities. For early-career and/or emergency or alternatively certified instructors, CCOSA’s Uplifting Classrooms professional development provides invaluable resources.

In order to be at your best for your faculty and staff so that they will be at their best for their students, a healthy work-life balance is essential. You cannot effectively lead your school if you fail to attend to your physical, social, and emotional needs. This may require that you carve out time each day to engage in something you truly enjoy. Whether that be reading a book, watching your favorite sitcom, engaging with loved ones, or simply going for a walk, activities that take your mind away from the schoolhouse promote mental and physical well-being. In addition, avoiding the temptation to check every email, text message, or voicemail received after school hours can go a long way in maintaining your sanity and selfcare.

Finally, never underestimate the significance of recognizing and rewarding staff members for a job well done. By partnering with businesses, restaurants, churches, and other entities within your community, gift cards and food items can shower your staff with much-deserved appreciation. Likewise, monthly staff luncheons hosted by the administrative team or various departments within the building foster camaraderie, boost morale, and contribute to a positive school culture. Highlighting individual employees in weekly newsletters and recognizing colleagues during monthly faculty meetings with traveling trophies presented by peers reinforces their value, dedication, and contributions to the organization. When staff feel appreciated, they are much more likely to go above and beyond in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.

Exhibiting genuine compassion, concern, and understanding for members of your staff cultivates and sustains an environment conducive to longevity and low turnover rates over time. In a dire labor shortage with no immediate relief in sight, we best be coaching up our present workforce in order to recruit and retain for the future. ■

For further information and/or additional professional training, consider enrolling in CCOSA’s New Principals Academy, which includes four learning sessions and one advocacy experience.