Foreword by Virginia Hines Preface Acknowledgments About the Author "Guardian" by Katy Farber Introduction 1. Standardized Testing Effects on School Climate Effects on Curriculum Effects on Teaching Schedules and Learning Outcomes Effects on Students Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers The Silver Lining: Personally Fulfilling Hope on the Horizon: Reevaluating Our Standardized-Testing Culture Additional Resources 2. Working Conditions in Today's Schools Big Problem #1: Violence Big Problem #2: Unsafe Schools Small Problems That Add Up Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Hope on the Horizon: Cities Adopt the Precautionary Principle Success Stories: Green Schools Additional Resources 3. Ever-Higher Expectations Unrealistic Expectations The Time Crunch: Do More With Less Professional Development That Doesn't Speak to Real Concerns The Threat to Health and Well-Being Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Professional Learning Communities and Collaboration Time The Silver Lining: Challenging and Always Changing Additional Resources 4. Bureaucracy Field Trips: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Committees: The Death of Creative Ideas Purchase Orders and Closed Budgets Scheduling: Not Ideal for Students or Teachers Policy: Lack of Input Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Real Life Integrated Learning The Silver Lining: Making a Difference Additional Resources 5. Respect and Compensation Struggling to Make Ends Meet Paying for School Supplies A Culture of Disrespect The Martyr System: Do More for Free Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: A Decent Working Wage Hope on the Horizon: Teacher Pay and Respect in New York and Other States The Silver Lining: Helping Children Learn and Grow Additional Resources 6. Parents Unrealistic Demands and No Limits My Child Is Always Right Helicopter Parents: Micromanaging the Classroom Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Partnering to Help a Child Read and Participate The Silver Lining: Contributing to a Community Over Time Additional Resources 7. Administrators The Pressure Cooker of the Principalship Pressure From Parents Testing Pressure Time Pressure Mentors Help Principals, Too Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Principal Mentors Make a Difference Additional Resources 8. School Boards Shared Leadership Uses and Abuses of Power Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: School Board, Administrator, and Teacher Teams The Silver Lining: Buoyed by a Supportive Community Hope on the Horizon: Teaming Up With Teachers Additional Resources Afterword: Final Thoughts References Index
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 - 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.
Katy Farber is a teacher, author, and founder of the blog, Non-Toxic Kids. She is also the author of two books about education, Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop the Exodus and Change the World with Service Learning. Katy has written for various news, parenting, non-profit and educational publications, including MomsRising, Moms Clean Air Force, Educational Leadership, CNN's School of Thought Blog, Problogger, Fox News opinion, and many others.