All principals and 62% of teachers surveyed said the nonprofit’s support factored into their decision to stay at their schools.
New research from the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s Urban Education Research Center shows that PrincipalsConnect, a Kansas City nonprofit that supports school principals and their staff, plays a measurable role in keeping educators in local schools. Every administrator surveyed said PrincipalsConnect factored into their decision to stay at their school, and half called it a major factor.
Among teachers, 62% said PrincipalsConnect played a role in their decision to stay. The study drew on 440 survey responses from principals and teachers at PrincipalsConnect partner schools, along with in-depth interviews with individual principals.
Key findings include:
All administrators surveyed said PrincipalsConnect factored into their decision to stay, and half described it as a major factor.
62% of teachers said PrincipalsConnect played a factor in their decision to stay at their school.
The share of teachers who feel recognized for their work rose by 10 percentage points.
Teachers reported significant increases in a positive school environment that allows them to do their best work.
The findings point to recognition as a driver of retention. PrincipalsConnect focuses its support on principals, offering specific, sincere appreciation for their work. The research found that principals who receive that recognition increase the recognition they give their own teachers.
“When we started PrincipalsConnect, we thought principals needed business leaders to teach them how to lead,” said Carol Hallquist, CEO of PrincipalsConnect. “By listening to principals and teachers, we learned that many principals were already strong leaders. What they needed was someone in their corner who noticed the hard work they do every day. This research shows that when principals feel valued, they make sure their teachers feel valued, too.”
PrincipalsConnect’s programs include Thank You Thursday notes recognizing educators’ work, Food Hugs meal deliveries for school staff, and teacher lounge transformations that give educators a space to recharge during the school day.
The findings come as teacher morale typically dips during the late fall, and as schools in Kansas City and across the country continue to struggle with teacher turnover and recruitment.