Written By Craig Chin, USHCA Human Capital Partner
Over the last fifteen years, teacher supply has dwindled, and turnover rates have surged, turning school districts into leaky buckets. To stop this cycle, districts have explored diverse recruitment avenues and staffing models. Yet, if teachers can’t be retained, the efforts seem futile.
Among various retention strategies, one stands out for its simplicity and impact: stay conversations.
Why Stay Conversations Matter:
Research highlights that the supervisor-employee relationship is a pivotal factor in staff retention. Recognition, whether public or one-on-one, formal or informal, plays a key role. Stay conversations address both aspects.
What is a Stay Conversation?
It’s a brief, focused chat (5 to 15 minutes) between a supervisor and an employee centered on understanding what’s crucial for the employee to stay engaged.
Practical Tips for Successful Stay Conversations:
- Employee-Centric Approach:
- Actively listen and use open-ended questions.
- Prioritize Top Performers:
- Make it clear why they are valued.
- Regular Check-ins:
- Stay conversations are not a one-off. Repeat them for ongoing dialogue and updates.
- Flexible Settings:
- While stay conversations can happen anywhere, ensure privacy for open and honest communication.
- Effective Setup:
- Getting a message or note telling an employee that the boss wants to see them can send the wrong message. Be clear when you ask to meet that you avoid anything that sounds punitive or makes your teachers nervous. For example, try saying:
- Retaining exceptional educators like you is a top priority for us. Your contributions make a significant impact, and I am committed to ensuring your continued satisfaction and success here. I’d like to have a conversation with you where we talk more about what aspects of your role bring you the most fulfillment and how we, as a school, can provide even stronger support so you want to stay for years to come.
- Getting a message or note telling an employee that the boss wants to see them can send the wrong message. Be clear when you ask to meet that you avoid anything that sounds punitive or makes your teachers nervous. For example, try saying:
- Documentation and Commitment:
- Document action items and follow up.
Benefits of Stay Conversations:
Engaging in stay conversations offers a multitude of benefits for both educators and school administrators. These brief, focused dialogues provide a direct avenue for gaining insights on how to best support and retain teachers. By actively listening and recognizing the unique contributions of each staff member, stay conversations empower educators, fostering a sense of appreciation and acknowledgment that retains people.
Take Action Today:
- Choose a top performer and conduct a stay conversation ASAP, especially before a long break, like the winter holidays or spring or summer break.
- Check out the Educator Stay Survey guide for a system-wide way that HR/Talent can learn more about what would keep top performers.
Learn More with USHCA:
For a deeper dive into retention strategies and HR/Talent management expertise, explore our website or contact us.
Teacher retention doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Start a stay conversation today to invest in and commit to supporting your staff.