Keeping Staff Where they Belong

Over the past four years, teacher turnover has accelerated and hit a rate of 18% in 2018, with a total of 280 teachers leaving since 2015. More disruption has occurred when those teachers who remain in the district have been transferred from one building/teaching position to another, often involuntarily, and in some cases to an area they have much less (or no) experience in teaching, regardless of their certification. We've had more than 100 of these transfers since 2015. While we know that elevated teacher turnover can be costly and problematic, we haven't heard as much about how it affects the students. Tenth grade student at CAIHS, D'Asia James contacted us to share her story of how she has been impacted by teachers leaving the district.

I am a student at Coatesville. Over the past couple years, many teachers have left the school district. It affects us students because it takes away the natural connection students can develop with their teachers. We should be able to come to school everyday with a teacher that we can come to for help, or guidance. Some students feel like they can’t tell the guidance counselors about things that are bothering them because it’s very personal. Having a teacher that you know and connect with, you are able to feel comfortable with talking to them and trying the get the help you need. Even though our school is a place of learning, it is a place of new relationships and friendships. It opens up new experiences and gives you to chance to enjoy life by gaining knowledge and stepping out of your comfort zones. 

It’s upsetting to know that teachers want to leave the school district because of the way the school is being run, and so many voices not being understood and heard. One of my favorite teachers left a few months ago and went to another school district. It’s hard to lose someone I talked to everyday, and asked for help and shared a few laughs with. How many teachers have to leave to get others to understand that there should be a change?

Another reason it affects me is that, some teachers have knowledge others might not have. There could be different approaches that teachers could take that I understand, but a new teacher might introduce another approach. It causes confusion, and could discourage a student from doing work. Also, some teachers could be given a curriculum to teach that they aren’t familiar with, and can’t really explain things well or help me complete my work with full understanding. Some students could have intellectual disabilities, and learning something new that isn’t fully explained could be difficult for them. 

Hopefully one day this can all change and the school board can focus on what mainly matters, the students; and most teachers won’t have to leave.

Written by D’asia James