Memphis teachers are staying
We just wrapped the Teach901 Educator Expo, and it was incredible! We packed out two floors at Crosstown Concourse with over 100 educators and 43 schools and community partners. The energy was the kind that makes you remember why we do this. Great educators. Real conversations. Amazing community partners.
A huge thank you to our sponsor, The M3 Project. Founded by Danny Song, The M3 Project, "Meeting the Moment for Memphis," is built on the belief that all children in our city deserve to attend a great school with great teachers delivering path-expanding educational opportunities every day. We're grateful for their partnership in making nights like last night possible.
Which brings us to this.
All that energy from last night connects directly to what we're digging into today.
For over a decade, we've been listening to educators city-wide through the Teach901 Educator Survey to better understand what it truly takes to recruit and retain great teachers in Memphis. This year, 1,137 educators across 47 Memphis schools shared their thoughts.
And one thing is clear: Memphis teachers aren't just getting through the year. They're planning to stay and build something here.
In today's climate, that's no small thing.
A Quick Recap
Over the past few weeks, we've been unpacking the 2025 Teach901 Educator Survey.
First, we looked at leadership presence. The numbers were hard to ignore: teachers rated their leaders a 2.7 out of 5 when leadership was never in their classroom and a 4.2 when they showed up weekly. Same leaders. Wildly different experience. The takeaway was simple: showing up changes everything.
Then we looked at recruitment. For the seventh year in a row, the #1 reason teachers chose their school had nothing to do with salary or location. It was mission. Fifty-seven percent of educators said purpose was the deciding factor.
Both of those things matter. And they set the stage for what we're talking about today.
Our Findings on Teacher Retention
Memphis teachers are thinking long-term.
On average, Memphis teachers plan on remaining at their current school for 11.6 years.
Let that sink in. Nearly twelve years at the same school.
In a time when the teaching profession is facing crisis-level turnover nationwide, that kind of tenure is remarkable. Memphis teachers aren't just passing through. They're planting roots.
Why Retention Matters:
When teachers stay:
Students benefit from stronger relationships and consistency
Schools build deep instructional teams and shared culture
Leaders can invest in growth instead of starting from scratch
Neighborhoods gain trusted adults who know and love the community
Retention is more than a staffing metric. It’s a student experience metric.
How Does This Compare Nationally?
Across the U.S., teacher retention is one of the biggest challenges in education.
A 2022 Gallup poll found that 44% of K–12 teachers report feeling burned out “always” or “very often”
NCES data shows that 16% of public school teachers either switch schools or leave the profession entirely each year
And during the “Great Resignation,” quit rates across all sectors hit record highs—3% in March 2022 (BLS)
So when Memphis teachers say, “I plan to stay,” that’s a big deal. It shows a level of connection and commitment that bucks national trends, and we should celebrate that.
But Retention Isn’t Just About Staying...
It’s about seeing a future.
The survey also revealed that while many educators want to stay, they’re also looking to grow. Teachers expressed interest in:
Specialized roles – 28%
Leadership positions – 23.6%
Coaching and mentoring – 14.9%
These numbers point to an important truth: strong retention means creating pathways where great teachers can thrive, lead, and stay engaged.
What's Next: Teacher Appreciation Month
Last night reminded us how much our educators deserve to be seen and celebrated.
So here's what's coming: Teacher Appreciation Month is right around the corner, and we're already gearing up. This is our chance to go beyond words. To show Memphis teachers, with real, tangible action, that this city has their back.
More details coming soon. Stay tuned.
So if you know a teacher, say thanks. If you're leading a school, keep showing up. And if you want to be part of what's coming for Teacher Appreciation Month, we'd love to have you.
We're building something meaningful here. Together.
