Professional Development Webinar

Teacher Turnover: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It

Thursday, November 3 (11:00 am - 12:30 pm)

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

Retention of teachers is a notable problem, often considered one of the greatest educational concerns of this time. This session will examine how educational leaders can support teachers and curb teacher attrition. Drs. Ryan Siegle and Becky Evers-Gerdes will address: Why does teacher retention matter? What are ways to provide needed support to educators? and How can you build your leadership skills to develop collective efficacy schoolwide? This webinar will offer practical tools and suggestions that will enhance what you are already doing and recharge your efforts toward making a long-lasting impact on those you serve.

INSTRUCTOR BIOS

Dr. Becky Gerdes

Dr. Becky Gerdes is currently serving in a leadership role with the Minnesota Department of Education. Her experiences include serving as an educator and administrator in the elementary, middle school, and high school settings, including schools that have been designated as needing to make an improvement by the Minnesota Department of Education. Additional titles include K-12 Curriculum Director, Staff Development Coordinator, Special Education Coordinator, and Title Program Director. At the undergraduate and graduate level, Becky has served as a Course Developer and Designer for Bethel University and an adjunct faculty member for Minnesota State University, Bethel University, and Concordia University in the areas of leadership, research, and K-12 education and special education. Using ongoing student data and culturally responsive teaching, she focuses on social-emotional learning as equally important as academics and strong parent and community partnerships.

Becky has led teams and departments through unpacking standards, aligning them to coursework, and ensuring that formative and summative assessments are analyzed. Becky has also been active in co-presenting teacher retention solutions to professional organizations and independent school districts with the topic titled Teacher Turnover: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It.

Becky earned her Doctoral degree in Education Administration from Bethel University and holds a Specialist and Master of Education Administration degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Southwest State University, Marshall.

Dr. Ryan Siegle

Dr. Ryan Siegle currently serves as an assistant principal at East Rapids Elementary for Independent School District 318 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He is passionate about transforming school and classroom cultures and believes in the need for supporting both the whole child and the whole teacher. His focus areas of research include leadership factors influencing the retention of teachers, servant leadership, trust, school culture, and school climate.

Ryan has been highly involved in teacher retention and mentorship at the school, district, and state levels. He has experience working with both teachers and educational leaders on the topic of teacher retention, support, and building teacher self-efficacy. Ryan has most recently provided formal presentations and training for school districts and professional organizations examining the impact of teacher turnover and how leaders can address this issue within their schools. He has also helped influence state level policy decisions, focusing specifically on best practice teaching induction and mentoring.

Ryan holds a Doctoral degree in Education Administration from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has also earned a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Members: FREE