Teacher Retention: Conversations Increase

As teachers continue to report intentions of leaving the field, both teacher and leader communities are discussing the conditions that lead to retention. In a sample of roughly 5,000 teachers and 5,000 school leaders on Twitter, we found that mentions of teacher retention, substitutes and staff shortages have doubled in the past year. Per our 2022 sample, we see that school leaders are engaging in conversations about retention and teacher shortages at a rate 4-5x higher than classroom teachers. School leaders are also expressing a more positive sentiment in these conversations compared to educators. 

Jan-Feb 2021(Conversation Volume)

Jan-Feb 2022 (Conversation Volume)

Jan-Feb 2022 (Sentiment Analysis) 

Methodology: These charts represent a sample of 10,000 teachers and school leaders on Twitter in 2021 and 2022.

  • ”No cafeteria workers tomorrow, no problem. I am going to rock a hair net. I cannot promise that the food will be on time, but we are going to try.” —Principal
  • “To the substitute educators that have showed up this week … the new ones that saw a need and signed up … the ones that came out of retirement to help … the ones that keep coming back … you are SO appreciated! Thank you!” —Principal in Washington, DC
  • “#adminlife – trying to enjoy football while getting texts from staff who are out Monday then trying to figure how the heck to cover for them, without extra people, yet not ruining weekends telling other staff they are covering said people.  Anyone else dealing with this?” —Principal in Nevada
  • “My school is a tiny startup, so we haven’t had to do that. I’m the only teacher in today, but my principal is covering 1st Grade, and a few people from the central office will help with Kinder. Our superintendent is basically a substitute principal right now to free them up.” — Elementary School Teacher
  • “I understand there is a sub shortage, but teachers should NOT be responsible for covering the classes of teachers who are out for any reason. And if a teacher CHOOSES to do that, then compensation should be available. I said what I said. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk.” —Educator
  • “I feel bad for the people going in to sub.  They don’t know how the system does not really support them. Like they are handed a folder and then seen at the end of the day.” —Educator
  • “Sub prepping is more work than teaching. Can’t change my mind.” —Teacher