Want To Retain Teachers? Ask Them What They Need

COACHES NOTEBOOK

Want to retain teachers? Ask them what they need

Have you seen the movie Field of Dreams? It’s about a farmer from my home state of Iowa who builds a baseball field among his cornstalks that attracts the spirits of past baseball legends. Even if you haven’t seen the film, you’ve probably heard the quote, “If you build it, he will come” (Robinson, 1989). These days, we often hear an adapted version of this quote: “Build it, and they will come.” Building something and hoping people will come may work in a movie, but, unfortunately, it doesn’t miraculously happen in our schools. In my work with instructional coaches and school leaders, I have adopted a different spin on the quote: Build together so they will stay. The word “stay” is key. We are seeing

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References

Heubeck, E. (2022, June 22). The stay interview: How it can help schools hold onto valuable staff. EducationWeek. www.edweek.org/leadership/the-stay-interview-how-it-can-help-schools-hold-onto-valued-staff/2022/06

Robinson, P.A. (Director, Writer). (1989). Field of dreams. [Film]. Universal Pictures.