Blog

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ recognizes that our educators are the main connection with our scholars. Prioritizing their well-being lifts the entire ecosystem of each school. Our focus on creating sustainable careers allows Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ to keep the best educators; Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ has an 87% educator retention rate, which is well above the national average of 77%. 

Applying Best Practices

is a limited series podcast hosted by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ VP of Network Initiatives Sonja Grant, introducing some of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµâ€™s most important initiatives to prioritize teachers’ well-being.  These include our programs to address: 

  • Teacher Training through the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Residency Program
  • Teacher Mental Health with pilot programs creating double planning time
  • Financial Well-Being through excellent compensation
  • Career Development with mentorship, observation, feedback, and community 

This series features interviews with principals, teachers, and scholars sharing the most inspiring changes Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is making to reimagine education.

Preparing the Educator

offers a fast-track apprenticeship program for aspiring educators to gain practical experience in classrooms under the guidance of seasoned mentors while pursuing their California Teaching Credential.  

Through Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµâ€™s partnership with the y and Rossier School of Education accelerated teacher preparation program, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ provides a combined $52,500 financial aid package and an additional $10,000 in available CA grants with a 2-year teaching commitment.  

Residents also receive an education laptop for the 100% remote certification curriculum and a collaborative community. This is built to mirror the support principles that we provide scholars themselves, which leads to our rate.  

Making it Sustainable

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is taking major steps to prioritize teacher mental health in LA. 

A growing shows that teacher with student mental health and success.  Yet across the country, teachers report that than in other industries can lead to burnout. 

With workload being a major factor in teachers deciding whether to stay in the profession, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ has created a pilot program to double the number of planning sessions that teachers have in a school day.  This also allows teachers to have more flexibility in creating enrichment programs for their students, focusing on special interest areas. 

Uplifting the Environment

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ recognizes the on creating a more pleasant working environment. 

We put the control in teachers’ hands by creating a curated Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Staff and Student playlist named , which is available to play during transition times, in cafeterias at lunch, and during study sessions. 

Schools are encouraged to create their own playlists to submit to One Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.  Many reflect and celebrate the scholars from that school, such as playlists honoring “The Evolution of Music through Black Artistsâ€� and “Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month.â€�  

Investing in Educators

Across the country, teachers report than in other careers, with historically lower pay.   

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ addresses this head-on by providing teachers with industry-leading compensation.  A first year teacher’s salary begins at $70,000 a year, nearly 40% above the California average. Experienced teachers make up to $130,000 a year. 

Reaping the Rewards

Teachers are the vital link between the best-laid educational plans and actual student success. 

By prioritizing teacher well-being, we support them in creating student success trajectories that make 94% of families recommend Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and 100% of eligible schools placed on the “rankings. 

Source:

Additional sources: