{"id":7720,"date":"2023-08-02T23:19:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T23:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/leadership\/why-almost-half-of-school-leaders-are-preparing-to-call-it-quits\/"},"modified":"2023-08-02T23:19:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T23:19:02","slug":"why-almost-half-of-school-leaders-are-preparing-to-call-it-quits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=7720","title":{"rendered":"Why Almost Half Of School Leaders Are Preparing To Call It Quits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The looming shortage of quality school leaders is everyone\u2019s problem.<\/em><\/p>\n

Most people are more or less aware that education in America is facing a crisis of epic proportions. Teacher attrition has been in the news a lot, as these instructors\u2014overworked, underpaid and often unappreciated\u2014continue to leave the profession.<\/p>\n

This is a very real and pressing problem, with massive ramifications for the future. But it\u2019s not the only crisis looming on the education horizon. Record numbers of principals and superintendents are also considering a career change.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumbers don’t lie,\u201d says Lisa O\u2019Masta, President of Learning A-Z, pointing to a 2023 report from EAB that found nearly half (46%) of district superintendents planned to leave within two or three years, and a research brief from RAND Corporation shows increased principal and teacher turnover.<\/p>\n

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When I asked O\u2019Masta if there was cause for concern about a school leader shortage, she answered with an emphatic \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d Like teachers, says O\u2019Masta, administrators work long hours with immense workloads. \u201cNow issues like the politicization of the classroom, intensified scrutiny, and increased engagement from the community are taking an additional toll.\u201d<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t a crisis that will resolve itself, and that was the focus of my email interview with O\u2019Masta on the state of school leadership in America. Here\u2019s what we discussed\u2014and why a shortage of quality school leaders is everyone\u2019s problem.<\/p>\n

Why they want to leave<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In my role as an education consultant, I see the inner workings of schools across the country. And I agree with O\u2019Masta when she says that most educators enter the field because they have a passion for making a difference in students’ lives. \u201cThey believe their passion, skills, and hard work can make a difference,\u201d she says. \u201cExpanding that impact through leadership roles allows them to support students and<\/em> enable educators to flourish and bring meaningful impact to others.\u201d<\/p>\n

But while no one ever said that being a school leader is a walk in the park, I don\u2019t believe anyone could have predicted the extreme and relentless additional pressures that have piled up on this role.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe higher-than-normal stress levels stemming from navigating a complex global health crisis, political divisiveness, staffing shortages, low pay, and school violence are making it harder than ever for educators and school leaders to create the desired impact,\u201d says O\u2019Masta. The result? Early retirements and resignations.<\/p>\n

Failing our leaders <\/strong><\/h2>\n

So who\u2019s responsible for all these new pressures on our school leaders? As it turns out, there\u2019s no single person or group to blame. \u201cThe responsibility and success of schools and their leaders takes thoughtful collaboration from communities, government, and organizations alike,\u201d says O\u2019Masta. \u201cThe failure isn’t at one intersection but the combination of each.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stresses like political pressures and test scores, says O\u2019Masta, aren’t going away. What counts is how we support school leaders in shouldering these burdens. \u201cSchools can continue to support their leaders by promoting and enabling a positive school culture emphasizing the well-being of all staff and students and ensuring day-to-day focus on impactful teaching and student outcomes,\u201d says O\u2019Masta. \u201cThis effort might include resources for stress management and work-life balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Districts should also find creative ways to engage the greater community in the mission of local education. Organizations and individuals are key to a school\u2019s ability to adopt innovative educational practices that deliver the evolving skill sets required by the next generation of students (one example: teaching the ethical and effective use of AI).<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough these partnerships, schools expand opportunities for leaders, teachers, and students and generate many possibilities for replicating successes,\u201d says O\u2019Masta.<\/p>\n

The coming fallout<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While 46% of school leaders are considering calling it quits, that doesn\u2019t mean all of them will. But if we don’t provide meaningful support for our school leaders, says O\u2019Masta, we fail our leaders, teachers, students and society as a whole. \u201cThe success of our schools is directly linked to the development of our country’s future leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overburdened principals and superintendents, left without internal and external support in the community, must work harder every year to find a reason to stay. If and when they make the decision to leave, O\u2019Masta believes that districts will struggle to find candidates with the requisite talent and passion.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn these situations, leaders who do stay will be constantly stretched thin and asked to do more, or inexperienced people will be thrust into roles without the support needed to steer their schools and districts through ongoing challenges,\u201d she warns.<\/p>\n

Another consequence of a school leader shortage will be the lack of a clear vision for improvement and growth. \u201cThere will be conflicting priorities and a fragmented school culture,\u201d says O\u2019Masta. \u201cPoor leadership will result in indecisiveness, delayed decision-making, or decisions not made in the best interest of students and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sums up the end result: \u201cLeaders leave, teachers struggle or leave, and students with fewer financial resources and less support at home will fall further behind and fail to develop the necessary skills to become the next generation of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a pretty picture.<\/p>\n

The mental health component<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mental health has become a bigger challenge for almost everyone since the onset of the pandemic, and education leaders are no exception. While many school leaders may already be utilizing the following resources shared with me by O\u2019Masta, a reminder never hurts. Leaders can safeguard their mental health by:<\/p>\n