Early Career Educator Research Insights - Download

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To better understand the experiences of early career professionals in independent schools, SAIS partnered with Dr. Carrie Grimes from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in fall 2025 on an extensive research project.

The study details 10 findings with supporting quantitative survey data. Within the full 60-page report, each finding includes qualitative data gathered during focus groups designed to explore emerging themes. Finally, multiple recommendations are offered for each finding to inform strategic planning moving forward. The hope is that this knowledge and the affiliated recommendations will not only contribute to a more nuanced understanding of early-career professionals’ experiences, but also position SAIS and its member schools to better support, retain, and empower the next generation of independent school educators. In doing so, SAIS can continue to “stretch the potential” of its schools and educators, while advancing its vision of excellence, innovation, and community across the independent school landscape.

• Unsustainable workloads fueled by lack of time and extra roles drive burnout and attrition.
• Inconsistent/absent feedback and unclear pathways undermine retention. Males perceive career growth opportunities more significantly than females.
• Acts of care from and access to leaders are foundational retention factors.
• Lack of role clarity and transparency creates frustration and undermines retention.
• A sense of trust drives motivation and commitment.
• Investment in tailored professional development and graduate study drives motivation and commitment.
• Recognition, appreciation for loyalty, and feeling “seen” are critical to retention.
• Relationships and a sense of community fuel embeddedness. However, some brand new early-career independent school professionals struggle with social disconnection.
• Flexibility and autonomy are strong retention drivers, while lack of planning time is a persistent struggle.
• Support perceptions declined with increased ECISP tenure.

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