What Makes Teachers tick?
Teacher retention is a challenge everywhere, and Memphis is no exception. That’s why Teach901 has been running the annual Educator Survey for over a decade—to listen to teachers and improve the retention rate. We’re digging into what keeps teachers in their roles, what pushes them away, and how schools can better support their staff.
Memphis Teacher Retention: The Numbers
Shelby County ranks 5th lowest in teacher retention out of Tennessee’s 95 counties, with a rate of 73.7%.
But here’s the good news: teachers in Memphis are staying longer!
Since 2018, the average teacher tenure has increased from 8 to 10 years, and the amount of time spent at a single school has nearly doubled from 2.39 to 4.28 years.
Teachers Are Staying Longer
Survey data shows a positive trend: teachers are remaining in their positions longer. Since 2018, the average tenure of teachers in Memphis has increased from 8 to 10 years, and the average time spent at their current school has nearly doubled from 2.39 years to 4.28 years. However, this does not fully address the issue of overall retention, as some educators are still leaving the profession entirely.
A School's Mission Impacts Retention
For the first time, school mission and education philosophy emerged as the most influential factor in teachers’ decisions to accept and stay in their roles. In 2024, 55% of educators ranked mission and philosophy as the top factor, surpassing school leadership (48%). This shift signals an opportunity for schools to refine their recruitment messaging to better align with their core mission and values.
Strengthening Recruitment Messaging is Key
Bree Wilson, Teach901’s Director, recently met with 26 school recruiters and leaders across Memphis to discuss how they can better leverage these findings. During these conversations, Bree walked through the six key data findings and provided tailored action steps to help schools improve their recruitment and retention efforts.
“The most helpful part for our schools was seeing the breakdown and comparison of our data against the aggregate data, including demographic and age group responses, as well as the ability to track trends over time,” said one school leader.
Being Present Really Does Matter
Survey responses also reinforced a direct correlation between leadership presence and teacher satisfaction. Teachers reported higher job satisfaction when school leaders were actively present in classrooms at least once a week. This direct engagement fosters trust, accountability, and a positive school culture.
Know a Teacher Looking for a Job? Send Them to the Teach901 Job Fair!
The data is clear: Memphis teachers are looking for schools that align with their values, and the best way to find that perfect fit is at a Teach901 Job Fair.
On March 20, we’re bringing together mission-driven schools and passionate educators to connect, build stronger schools, and make Memphis a city where teachers can truly thrive.
Got a friend who should be there? Send this their way and help them land their next great opportunity!
