Teacher Job Satisfaction Is Down.  How to Know if Your School Is the Cause

Ask a current teacher if they’d recommend others go into the profession, and you’ll likely hear responses on either end of the spectrum: “Absolutely, I love teaching.” or “Not a chance.”  Like so much else these days, it seems that teacher job satisfaction is a polarizing topic.

Research indicates teacher job satisfaction ratings are far below historic norms.

On every MetLife Survey of the American Teacher from 1995-2010, at least 50% of educators reported being “very satisfied”.  The percentage of teachers “very satisfied” in 2022 plummeted to 12%. 

The number of “very satisfied” teachers rose to 20% in 2023, but the survey also revealed that 35% of teachers were “very/fairly likely to leave the profession within two years.” 

Yet, there are happy teachers out there.  In some instances, it’s a matter of getting into the right building.

Ask a current teacher if they’d recommend others go into the profession, and you’ll likely hear responses on either end of the spectrum: “Absolutely, I love teaching.” or “Not a chance.”  Like so much else these days, it seems that teacher job satisfaction is a polarizing topic.

Research indicates teacher job satisfaction ratings are far below historic norms.

On every MetLife Survey of the American Teacher from 1995-2010, at least 50% of educators reported being “very satisfied”.  The percentage of teachers “very satisfied” in 2022 plummeted to 12%. 

The number of “very satisfied” teachers rose to 20% in 2023, but the survey also revealed that 35% of teachers were “very/fairly likely to leave the profession within two years.” 

Yet, there are happy teachers out there.  In some instances, it’s a matter of getting into the right building.

Should I leave teaching or just leave my school?

A transition to a different school or district can be a career-saving move for educators who still love (or want to love) teaching.  Considering the time and effort you put into becoming a teacher, it often makes sense to find out if another school can provide a better fit.  Of course, personal factors such as mental health, family, or financial issues could necessitate a different choice.

7 Signs Your School May Be The Cause of Low Teacher Job Satisfaction

Note: This list is arranged by scope, starting with broad, school-wide reasons and ending with personal reasons.  

#1: Is your educational philosophy at odds with your school’s philosophy? 

For newer teachers, a school’s educational philosophy may not seem like a deal breaker.  Yet, when you’re in the building every day, you begin to see how philosophy shapes decision-making.  For example, your school might prioritize mastery of core standards. As a result, your department dictates no penalty for late work and unlimited test retakes.  

Can you live with those policies?  

From how lessons are taught to discipline policies and everything in between, there is not any issue that cannot be traced back to what the school values and believes.  If you are unhappy at your school, determine if you are out of sync with that philosophy. 

#2: Do you see a disconnect between school policy and school culture?

Let’s say, for example, the policy at your school is that disruptive students are sent to the dean’s office. Yet, the culture of the school negatively views teachers who follow the policy.  They are seen as lacking in classroom control and failing to maintain positive relationships with students.

When policies are in opposition to the school culture, it creates a cognitive dissonance.  Job satisfaction is often a casualty in workplaces such as this.  If you notice sweeping inconsistencies between policy and culture, you’ll need to decide if you can work with that.

*Note: as educators, we try to be reasonable with students. If a teacher sends multiple students to the dean’s office every period it’s going to raise eyebrows.  Don’t expect every policy to be upheld for every student, every day. 

#3: Are you increasingly isolating yourself from colleagues?

Teaching is an isolating job by nature.  Time for collaboration with other adults is minimal at best yet vital to workplace wellbeing.  

Research indicates clear benefits of positive social interactions at work, including increased work engagement, higher employee satisfaction, and feelings of trust, connection, and motivation.

If you look around and cannot identify any colleagues with whom you want to spend time or with whom you are willing to collaborate, you are missing out on a key component of job satisfaction.  

#4: Does your school lack opportunities for professional growth?

Career growth opportunity is a strong indicator of workplace satisfaction.  

Throughout your time at the school, have you had opportunities for professional development? Are there options to try other roles within your district? 

If your district doesn’t–or can’t–prioritize teacher development, consider making a change.  A career is too long to remain stagnant in your classroom (literally and figuratively) for the next twenty-plus years.

#5: Salary is a consideration.

The saying that “no one goes into teaching for the money” is an adage that rubs the wrong way.  Financial stability and growth should be a priority for all teachers — without shame or guilt. 

If you’re unable to feel financially secure in your current role, compare compensation packages in neighboring districts or schools.  For most public schools, salary and benefits can be found on their website.  Additionally, most districts accept only a certain number of service years to apply to their salary schedule.  Changing districts early in your career can make more financial sense than a switch later on.

#6: Do you feel valued?

When employees don’t feel valued, engagement, energy, and satisfaction all decrease.  A 2023 workforce survey found that employees who did not feel valued were more likely to report feeling stressed and tense at work.  

It can be difficult to feel valued by the students.  After all, when was the last time you assigned a thoughtful, creative assignment only to hear groans and sighs?  That comes with the territory. 

If, however, you don’t feel valued by your district personnel, your administration, or the community consider making a change.

#7: How is your mental health?

An APA 2023 survey found that psychological well-being is a high priority for employees.  Teachers specifically are more likely to experience symptoms of burnout when they feel their psychological well-being is not prioritized.  

Teacher burnout needs more attention.  Between February 2020 and May 2022, 300,000 public school teachers and other educational staff left the profession.  Burnout is a leading cause of leaving the profession with 44% of K-12 educators reporting feeling “always” or “very often” burned out at work.  

The numbers suggest that teacher burnout is industry-wide. Yet don’t underestimate the power of a school that prioritizes teacher job satisfaction, mental health, and workload.

What comes next?

Identifying that you need to change schools is the first step in a long process.  Before you begin scouring job boards, think about what job satisfaction means to you.

Thinking that you can escape every issue that you are now facing is not realistic and probably not something you expect.  As you assess whether or not to remain at your school, identify which of the above issues most resonate with you and whether those issues could be mitigated with a school that is more in line with your values and more receptive to your needs.  

Amanda Melsby has been a professional educator for 20 years.  She taught English before working as an assistant principal and later as a high school principal.  Amanda holds an Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Leadership and is currently a dean of teaching and learning.