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Which private schools retain their teachers the most?
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Anonymous
| Of the many metrics than can be used to assess private schools, staff happiness is a key one. What are your views on turnover and overall happiness of those that run the schools that our kids attend? |
Anonymous
| I would say people do not carry much about happiness of the staff. It is all about the kids at the end of the day. In any case, I had limited interaction with staff since our kid has applied this year. We are very happy with the outcome, but we did notice some "long faces" in a couple of schools we visited. Of course not from the ones showing us around, but from random staff. This was very clear at WIS for instance. But again, this was a limited interaction so my experience does not prove anything. |
Anonymous
| be careful what you look at, there are some real dud teachers at our school that we wish would leave but will probably be there until our kids graduate. |
Anonymous
Former teacher here--taught in an excellent private (Episcopal) school and public--that's a shame and doesn't speak very well of your school if it's a private school, and they still retain "dud teachers." Why would the administrators and board keep less than top-tier teachers? |
Anonymous
| I do not think retention is key if the departures make sense, i.e., teachers are leaving for life reasons, not because they're dissatisfied. The key is how well teachers select new hires. The concern is actual a cluster of questions in my mind! |
Anonymous
| The single most important quality of a teacher is experience. This is the real asset of a school. The bad teachers should go, but the school must go beyond the call of duty to retain excellent and experienced staff. |
Anonymous
| I disagree re:experience. We have encountered some amazing, energetic, creative and innovative teachers who are newbies. |
Anonymous
| GDS has very good teacher retention and very little burnout from what I've seen. Key seems to be lots of opportunities for professional development, good colleagues and a structure that encourages them to work together, as well as a fair amount of input/control over what gets taught and how. And maybe appreciation from parents and administration. Definitely a school that believes our teachers are our greatest asset. |
Anonymous
Long-time educator here, and I agree with you about the qualities that are more important than experience (although I think educational background, intelligence, and at least 3 years of teaching experience, in addition to the qualities you mentioned, are the ideal combination). |
Anonymous
Well said! I am a teacher, and I could not agree more. To me, at the end of the day, it is all about: good teaching instincts, hard work, passion, and communication skills. |
Anonymous
|
You want both (experience and passion/enthusiasm). What experience provides (or at least provides to a passionate, enthusiastic teacher) is a much larger tool kit both for figuring out what is and is not working and for making the material accessible and meaningful to students whose interests, abilities, and ways of thinking and learning vary.
I wouldn't want a faculty that was composed almost exclusively of people who have been teaching (especially together) for a long time -- you need new people coming in, asking questions, bringing new POVs and knowledge. But it's really important to have a critical mass of experienced teachers who have BTDT and who will be supportive of energetic/creative newbies when they hit various walls (psychological, pedagogical, administrative). |
Anonymous
| Being passionate and bringing new ideas is important, but experience is crucial. People tend to discount that. Teaching is a complex activity which talented professionals can perfect through life. This process helps to define what a school is about and this is why tenure is crucial. I am not trying to troll here but some parents prefer young and energetic teachers as a way to avoid competing role models for their children. |
Anonymous
| I wish somebody would answer the OP's post. I too think experienced but still enthusiastic teachers are best. Which school have this? |
Anonymous
| GDS. |
Anonymous
|
I have never encountered this! Are you a parent, 7:58?
I am not trying to troll here but some parents prefer young and energetic teachers as a way to avoid competing role models for their children. |