Teacher Shortages and the Challenge of Retention

Barbara Smith can write from the perspectives of teacher, student, mentor, mentee, and school leader because she has BEEN all of those. I’ve taught for her, worked alongside her, been challenged by her…and she is a thinker who thinks from the beginning, not from the 80-metre mark. This book is at its core solutions-oriented. Rather than bemoan the statistics of teacher retention, let’s get to who those teachers…who each ONE of those teachers…really are and is. What do they need and want? What fires them up and excites them to the point that leaving isn’t even an option? Those drawn to teaching are precisely those drawn to impact and connection…and strategies here that prioritize their time, their learning, their energy…will keep teachers where they were originally drawn. There’s no shortage of extraordinary people wanting to teach; the shortage is of people willing to stay in teaching when their own priorities aren’t seen or acted upon.

-- Luke Coles, Director, Thriveto.org, Toronto, Canada

This is the ultimate “how to” guide for making school systems great! With thirty years of teaching experience, I’ve come across plenty of books, professional development workshops, and abracadabra talks on how to make traditional education better. Barbara J. Smith’s TEACHER SHORTAGES and THE CHALLENGE OF RETENTION is far different than anything I’ve encountered. With its easy-to digest sections that map out fresh ideas, plans of action, and needed outcomes, I found myself cheering on each page and wishing someone had had the insight to share this information decades ago. But as this book states, it’s never too late to make schools great—and this book tells you how. Every person in the educational arena should read it.

-- Kathleen Fox, Former Elementary Teacher, Founder and Director of Creative Arts of Mount Pleasant School, Co-Creator of ImaginGO.com, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (US)

Barbara Smith effectively captures many of the hurdles educators face as they weigh their commitment to stay in the profession. She balances a well-constructed analysis of each critical issue with examples that offer hope for a better future. Her challenging questions guide readers to reflect on their own situations. A close study of this book can provide a blueprint for your next strategic plan!

-- Bena Kallick, co-founder and co-director, Institute for Habits of Mind

Barbara Smith displays a wealth of understanding of what it is like in schools now, and then takes the reader through the reasons for and the process of changing things for the better. Her real school examples are combined with research and presented in reader-friendly language. One of the best education books I've read and an excellent starting point for the educator wanting to make a difference.

-- Michael Lawrence, Writer of the book: Testing, 3,2,1, presenter of the Teacher Trust: A Finnish Perspective in partnership with Tampere's University of Applied Sciences (Austra