What's Drawing Teachers to Memphis Schools in 2025?
PRESS RELEASE Announcement!
The 2025 Teach901 Educator Survey results are officially in, and we’ve just released the full press release.
These findings offer fresh, data-backed insight into what Memphis educators are experiencing and what it will take to help them stay and thrive in our classrooms.
👉 Click here to read the full press release.
For interviews, story opportunities, or additional details, contact Bree Wilson, Teach901 Director, at bree@cityleadership.org.
Here's the scoop on the Educator Survey results:
Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared insights from the 2025 Teach901 Educator Survey, hearing directly from 1,137 educators across 47 Memphis schools.
We started with leadership presence and how it impacts teacher perception and morale. Then we celebrated a bright spot in teacher retention, with educators planning to stay for the long haul.
And today, we’re talking recruitment because bringing in the right educators is the first step toward building schools where students thrive.
What makes a teacher say yes to a school?
Every year, we ask educators what mattered most when they chose their current school. For the seventh year in a row, the top answer is clear:
➡️ Mission and Education Philosophy
In 2025, 57% of educators named this as one of their top factors, more than salary, benefits, location, or schedule.
This finding reinforces a key truth:
👉 Teachers want to work in places where the “why” is strong—and where that purpose is lived out every day.
And honestly, we get that.
At City Leadership, we’re a team of people deeply committed to a mission. Everything we do, from Teach901 to Serve901 to Give901, flows from our belief that Memphis deserves great leaders and thriving communities. It’s not just what we do; it’s why we do it.
So it makes perfect sense that teachers, especially this generation of educators, are driven by purpose, too. They want to know that their work matters. That their values align with the school’s values. That their school’s vision isn’t just painted on the wall, but practiced in every hallway and classroom.
That’s why schools with a clear, consistent “why” are better positioned to attract and retain great talent.
If you’re recruiting, lead with that purpose:
Share your mission boldly.
Show how it’s lived out daily.
Build culture that reflects it and leadership that reinforces it.
Because when purpose is clear and lived out with integrity, people want to be part of it.
Relationships Drive Recruitment
And here's another standout trend:
➡️ Nearly half of all educators (48%) found their job through a friend or colleague.
That’s a big deal. It tells us that teacher recruitment is about relationships. And teacher networks matter deeply.
That’s one of the reasons Teach901 invests in things like teacher appreciation events and community gatherings. These moments aren’t just about celebration (though teachers absolutely deserve that). They’re also spaces where educators can connect, share stories, and build trust with one another across schools.
Because educators trust other educators.
And when teachers are proud of where they work, they naturally become the strongest ambassadors a school could ask for.
That’s why Teach901 builds connections. We’re here to strengthen educator pipelines by tapping into real community, trusted voices, and the power of relationships that already shape how teachers find their place.
Why It Matters for Memphis
In a moment when the national teacher pipeline is shrinking, Memphis is still attracting incredible educators. But recruitment isn’t about gimmicks or quick wins.
It’s about:
Communicating your mission clearly
Creating real growth opportunities
Building trust and reputation among current educators
When schools do that, recruitment becomes more relational and more resilient.
Teachers are heroes.
Let’s keep showing up for them, supporting them, and creating schools where they feel seen, valued, and excited to be.
P.S. Recruitment is important, but once we get the teachers, we have to know how to keep them. Check out this blog on the 2025 Teach901 Educator Survey findings on teacher retention.
P.S.S. - Know any teachers? We have our first Teacher Job Fair of the Spring 2026 coming up on Wednesday, February 18th! Learn more here.
