Why Great Teachers Quit: And How We Might Stop the Exodus

Low pay, increased responsibilities, and high-stakes standardized testing - these are just some of the reasons why more talented teachers are leaving the profession than ever before. Drawing on in-depth interviews with teachers all over the country, Katy Farber presents an in-the-trenches view of the classroom exodus and uncovers ways that schools can turn the tide. Farber’s findings paint a sometimes shocking picture of life in today’s schools, taking a frank look at: challenges to teacher endurance, including tight budgets, difficult parents, standardized testing, unsafe schools, inadequate pay, and lack of respect; strategies veteran teachers use to make sure the joys of teaching outweigh the frustrations; success stories from individual schools and districts that have found solutions to these challenges; and recommendations for creating a school environment that fosters teacher retention. Featuring clear analysis and concrete suggestions for administrators and policy makers, Why Great Teachers Quit takes you to the front lines of the fight to keep great teachers where they belong: in the classroom.