Overview
This project features stories of K-12 teachers in U.S. schools who we call invested stayers, or those who have persisted and thrived in the teaching profession. A digital archive of the stories of the teachers presents how particular catalysts, or landmark changes in education and our world, have been productive sites for growth, agency, and even resistance across the arc of contributors’ professional lives. In a world where we often hear about the challenges educators face, we do not often hear from educators themselves about how they have responded to these challenges. Reframing teacher persistence by paying attention to what sustains educators is essential to imagining what is possible.
The 21st century education system, which largely remains a traditional, one-size-fits-all model, is poised for rapid change and innovation within the context of our modern knowledge society; teachers are potentially the most important asset in the notion of a learning society. Invested stayers are educators who demonstrate persistence while not only embracing change but inviting it through inquiry, creativity, and innovation. As education in our nation’s schools continues to change in order to meet the needs of a diverse range of students, the stories of staying teachers emphasize the importance of educators’ commitment to the teaching profession.
Next Steps