Retain Great Teachers for Long-Term Success

Your school’s teachers are a major reason families remain happy and engaged. Their relationships with children and parents are priceless, contributing deeply to the success of your center. When you have a strong teaching team, it’s essential to focus on teacher retention by nurturing their career satisfaction and supporting their professional development.

1. Retention Starts on Day One

Building loyalty begins on the first day. Welcoming new teachers thoughtfully sets a strong foundation for long-term retention.

• Gather Feedback from New Hires: Interview teachers hired in the past year to understand what worked well in their onboarding process and identify gaps. Their insights can inform and improve your onboarding plan.
• Develop a Thoughtful Onboarding Process: Based on feedback, create a detailed onboarding strategy that guides new hires through their first weeks and months. Assign your director or assistant director to lead this process, providing consistent support and accountability.

2. Foster a Supportive Environment

In a busy school, teachers can sometimes feel isolated despite being surrounded by people. Ensuring they have strong support is essential.

• Encourage Social Connections: Schedule regular staff meetings and organize social events to build camaraderie. Activities like icebreakers or group lunches can help team members form connections outside of the classroom.
• Assign Mentors: Pair new teachers with experienced mentors who can offer guidance and serve as reliable points of support. Mentorship benefits both parties, as it empowers experienced teachers while offering new hires a steady source of insight and encouragement.

3. Provide Consistent Positive Feedback

Teaching is rewarding, but it has its challenges. As a leader, your attitude and feedback can set a positive tone and support teachers’ growth.

• Show Empathy and Listen: Take time to listen to teachers' experiences, particularly when they face challenges. Share your own insights and empathy to help them develop resilience.
• Express Appreciation: Simple acknowledgments make a big difference. Thank teachers for their daily contributions, whether they’re consistently punctual, bringing positive energy, or exceeding expectations in their work.
• Highlight Captured Moments: Use your WatchMeGrow Streaming Video system to capture and celebrate teachers’ standout moments in the classroom. Sharing these instances with positive feedback boosts morale and acknowledges their impact.

Coming Soon: Smart Observations

At WatchMeGrow, we’re developing Smart Observations, a tool designed to tackle the challenge of teacher retention. By using advanced technology to observe and provide data-driven insights, Smart Observations will support schools in tracking and recognizing teacher effectiveness in real time, offering actionable data to enhance coaching and morale. Stay tuned for this innovative solution, and let’s discuss how WatchMeGrow can support your teacher retention strategy!

Want to learn more?
Book a call to discuss strategies for keeping your teachers—and families—engaged for the long term.