Leaders Leave Too: The Unspoken Crisis of School Leaders Resigning
There’s a lot of talk about teachers leaving the classroom and the education field altogether. Many people are more or less aware that America is experiencing a teacher shortage. Although their personal reasons vary, the current teacher shortage typically falls into three categories: overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated.
Teachers are not the only ones leaving the school system. Record numbers of principals and superintendents are also considering a career change. Although in a different capacity, administrators also work long hours with immense workloads and relentless pressure. Consider hot-topic issues such as politicization of the classroom, intensified scrutiny, increased demands from the community, and many school leaders are seeing themselves to the door.
With skyrocketing stress levels from navigating a global health crisis, political divisiveness, staffing shortages, low pay, and school violence are making it more complicated than ever for educators and school leaders to create the desired impact. The result? Early retirements and resignations.
How do we solve this?
The responsibility and success of schools and their leaders need thoughtful collaboration from communities, government, and organizations alike. Schools can continue to support their leaders by promoting and enabling a positive school culture emphasizing the well-being of all staff and students. This effort might include resources for stress management and work-life balance, along with attention to mental health and best practices to create a positive work environment.
Additionally, districts should find creative ways to engage the greater community in the mission of local education and their schools.
While nearly 50% of school leaders are considering leaving their roles, that doesn’t mean all of them will. However, if we don’t act now and provide meaningful support for our school leaders, we are not only failing our leaders but also our teachers, students, and society as a whole, and that’s not a pretty picture. After all, the success of our schools is directly linked to the development of our country’s future leaders and community contributors; Important? That’s an understatement.
Written By: Meredith Biesinger
Professional Writer/ Education Specialist
Meredith Biesinger is a licensed dyslexia therapist in Mississippi, in addition to being an experienced classroom teacher and K-12 administrator. Meredith also works as a consultant, where she bridges the bridge the gap between K-12 school districts and ed-tech organizations. With a passion for literacy, she is also a professional writer and syndicated author. With a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and a B.S. in English Education and Creative Writing, she has had rich and diverse opportunities to teach students and education professionals in different parts of the country as well as overseas.
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