teacher turnover in APS

[Anonymous]

I work at one APS school and have children at two others. I am very concerned about the teacher retention issue. We have steadily lost talented, well-loved teachers each year at all 3 schools. I know teaching as a professional is struggling but it seems magnified in APS compared to my friends who live in other counties. I wish the county would prioritize compensation and retention programs over some of the other less impactful initiatives that keep getting rolled out. We need good teachers and people move to Arlington for the schools. (or at least they used to).

[Anonymous]

I agree that turnover is a problem but disagree that it’s worse than other counties (except for one specific elementary school in APS)

[Anonymous]

And what school would that be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what school would that be?

Oakridge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what school would that be?

Oakridge

Blame the Apex

[Anonymous]

I’m also an APS teacher and parent. I share your concerns, OP, but I think we need to broaden our approach to retention. Salary, benefits and retirement are important, but so are other things. Getting rid of bullying principals (as mentioned in the thread referenced abroad), cleaning up Syphax (get more of those people into student-facing jobs and lose the bogus extra paid holidays), and generally getting their act together would also keep more teachers in APS.

[Anonymous]

I want more planning time. It has been whittled away over the years at least in elementary. I agree that Syphax needs to get back in the schools but think it would really help if they would listen to teachers and our experiences rather than just sending out a crappy survey or “observing” us with a clipboard and checklist like we are factory parts.

[Anonymous]

The turnover at my school is predictable I think, it’s mainly SPED staff and the teachers who have inclusion clusters in their classroom. We aren’t getting enough support, the needs are too great for many of the students who would have been spending much more time in self-contained a few years ago. I think the new inclusion goals are noble yet unrealistic. I’ve already decided that if I’m ever hit again I’ll quit. FWIW, I rarely hear anyone complain about pay, it’s been pushed to the bottom of concerns in my circle.

[Anonymous]

The issue is region-wide at the very least. I work at as elementary school in a large school district. The main complaint I have heard from departing teachers are the parents, politics and out of touch administrators. Salary is rarely mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget rudeness from students, especially in grades 6-12. It's off the chain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget rudeness from students, especially in grades 6-12. It's off the chain.

The Karens get replaced by pint-size version of themselves in middle school, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget rudeness from students, especially in grades 6-12. It's off the chain.

I can imagine how bad it is based on what I see in upper elementary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what school would that be?

Oakridge

Haha Oakridge. The solution to that is simple. Fire the principal and replace her with someone who actually knows what she is doing. Not sure why APS still hasn’t done anything about her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget rudeness from students, especially in grades 6-12. It's off the chain.

The Karens get replaced by pint-size version of themselves in middle school, lol.

Rude kids have always existed. The difference is that no one is willing to discipline them anymore. There are very little consequences for rude behavior. Admin needs to actually start imposing consequences. I feel sorry for the kids who’s education keeps getting disrupted by their classmates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The turnover at my school is predictable I think, it’s mainly SPED staff and the teachers who have inclusion clusters in their classroom. We aren’t getting enough support, the needs are too great for many of the students who would have been spending much more time in self-contained a few years ago. I think the new inclusion goals are noble yet unrealistic. I’ve already decided that if I’m ever hit again I’ll quit. FWIW, I rarely hear anyone complain about pay, it’s been pushed to the bottom of concerns in my circle.

It does seem that separating kids by ability (academic and behavior) would make things easier for teachers.