Why Great Teachers Quit

Katy Farber is a teacher, author, and founder of the blog, Non-Toxic Kids. She is also the author of two books about education, Why Great Teachers Quit and How We Might Stop the Exodus and Change the World with Service Learning. Katy has written for various news, parenting, non-profit and educational publications, including MomsRising, Moms Clean Air Force, Educational Leadership, CNN's School of Thought Blog, Problogger, Fox News opinion, and many others.

Foreword by Virginia Hines Preface Acknowledgments About the Author "Guardian" by Katy Farber Introduction 1. Standardized Testing Effects on School Climate Effects on Curriculum Effects on Teaching Schedules and Learning Outcomes Effects on Students Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers The Silver Lining: Personally Fulfilling Hope on the Horizon: Reevaluating Our Standardized-Testing Culture Additional Resources 2. Working Conditions in Today's Schools Big Problem #1: Violence Big Problem #2: Unsafe Schools Small Problems That Add Up Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Hope on the Horizon: Cities Adopt the Precautionary Principle Success Stories: Green Schools Additional Resources 3. Ever-Higher Expectations Unrealistic Expectations The Time Crunch: Do More With Less Professional Development That Doesn't Speak to Real Concerns The Threat to Health and Well-Being Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Professional Learning Communities and Collaboration Time The Silver Lining: Challenging and Always Changing Additional Resources 4. Bureaucracy Field Trips: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Committees: The Death of Creative Ideas Purchase Orders and Closed Budgets Scheduling: Not Ideal for Students or Teachers Policy: Lack of Input Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Real Life Integrated Learning The Silver Lining: Making a Difference Additional Resources 5. Respect and Compensation Struggling to Make Ends Meet Paying for School Supplies A Culture of Disrespect The Martyr System: Do More for Free Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: A Decent Working Wage Hope on the Horizon: Teacher Pay and Respect in New York and Other States The Silver Lining: Helping Children Learn and Grow Additional Resources 6. Parents Unrealistic Demands and No Limits My Child Is Always Right Helicopter Parents: Micromanaging the Classroom Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Partnering to Help a Child Read and Participate The Silver Lining: Contributing to a Community Over Time Additional Resources 7. Administrators The Pressure Cooker of the Principalship Pressure From Parents Testing Pressure Time Pressure Mentors Help Principals, Too Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: Principal Mentors Make a Difference Additional Resources 8. School Boards Shared Leadership Uses and Abuses of Power Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers Success Stories: School Board, Administrator, and Teacher Teams The Silver Lining: Buoyed by a Supportive Community Hope on the Horizon: Teaming Up With Teachers Additional Resources Afterword: Final Thoughts References Index

"This book is a must-read for every principal, school board member, and policy maker concerned about teacher turnover. Farber does an excellent job framing the problems. Now the question is: What are we willing to do to stem the exodus of great teachers from our schools?" -- Tom Israel, Executive Director "This book is for every parent who has had their child's teacher leave in the middle of the year, every administrator who marvels at the difficulty of teacher retention or team spirit, every policy maker ready to walk the walk, and anyone who has invested years in preparation for a career in the classroom only to be faced with the thought of cutting his or her losses." -- Esme Raji Codell, Author of Educating Esme "In this lively and interesting book, Katy Farber makes public the real reasons why inexperienced teachers rarely stay long enough or get the support they need to become good, why good teachers don't become great, and why great teachers quit." -- Deborah Meier, Educational Reformer, Writer, and Activist "A timely book about a major crisis affecting our schools and real solutions to keep our best teachers in the classroom." -- Anthony J. Mullen, 2009 National Teacher of the Year "Finally, a book written by a practicing teacher who really understands what it is like to teach in today's schools: the demands, challenges, and rewards. Joining her are the voices of teachers from all over the country who have come together to share their stories and wisdom. Written with passion and insight, this is an excellent resource for anyone vested in improving education and keeping quality teachers in the classroom. This book should be required reading for every administrator and school board member." -- Julie Smart, Special Educator "This book can remind those who teach why we do so, not only reconnect us with our core beliefs, but also to motivate us to speak up beyond our individual classrooms on behalf of the well-being of our students and the ultimate success of public schools." -- Kenneth J. Bernstein