EduCon 2025Reducing Teacher Burnout and Boosting Retention
An October 2024 Inquirer article states, ‘Philadelphia’s pool of effective teachers is shrinking every year.’ Districts nationwide are experiencing the same trend. Increased financial compensation is a first step in retaining educators. It’s one of a menu of strategies that should be employed to reduce burnout and high turnover rates in the profession. According to research from the Research for Action, schools that empower teachers through leadership opportunities, a strong sense of community, and expanded autonomy see higher retention rates and greater teacher satisfaction. In this session, Philadelphia Learning Collaborative will share how it has operationalized these recommendations. Teachers will share what role participating in PLC’s retention initiatives has played in helping them reconnect with their purpose, avoid burnout, and thrive in their roles. Key use-now strategies from PLC’s experience include: Skill-Building for Teachers: Teachers will discuss how professional development, including teacher-led sessions tailored to their needs, gave them the confidence and skills to succeed, further increasing retention. Creating Leadership Opportunities: Educators will share how leadership roles—such as mentoring, and opportunities to lead professional development for colleagues —fostered their professional growth and engagement. Building Community: You’ll hear about structured support systems like workshops and peer networks that have helped teachers feel more connected and supported in their schools. Expanding Teacher Autonomy: Learn how PLC helps educators increase their autonomy in classroom decisions and school initiatives, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced burnout. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies they can implement to retain talented staff in their schools.
Conversational Practice
The session will begin with a brief introduction to the issue of teacher retention, including key research findings from Research for Action in the School District of Philadelphia highlighting strategies to strengthen teacher retention. Following the introduction, practicing teachers will share personal stories about how their practices have been revitalized by participating in PLC initiatives that promote leadership,community-building, and increased autonomy. After hearing from teachers, participants will break into small groups to discuss how to apply these use-now strategies to their own schools. The whole group will reconvene to share the insights and ideas that emerged. The session will conclude with a brief reflection and action-planning segment, where participants create personalized plans for implementing the strategies in their schools. This session is designed for school leaders—principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, and district administrators—who are seeking practical, research-backed strategies to reduce teacher burnout and improve retention. By learning from the Philadelphia Learning Collaborative’s experience, participants will leave with ready-to-implement ideas to re-energize staff teams.
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