2026 Small Schools Summit

Small schools face a critical challenge: staff retention and recruitment consistently rank among the top concerns for school leaders. Yet recent SAIS research on early-career educators reveals that culture – not just compensation – is what keeps talented teachers engaged and committed in the long term. This session explores how to intentionally build and sustain a school culture that becomes your strongest recruitment and retention tool.
Drawing on findings from SAIS research, you'll discover what today's educators truly need to thrive.

This session will guide you through practical, research-backed strategies, and we will discuss how to create multi-tiered support systems, build recognition practices, design feedback mechanisms that give educators voice and agency, and foster the relationships and sense of belonging that keep people rooted in your community. Whether you're facing high turnover or proactively building retention, you'll leave with a clear action plan to make your school a place where educators don't just work, they choose to stay, grow, and build careers.