How to Calm Parental Fears on Teacher Turnover

Today, I'm tackling a topic that's a familiar to all leaders in the world of international education: teacher turnover. As school leaders, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of staff transitions, balancing both professional requirements and parental expectations. Whether you're leading a school in Shanghai, Doha, or New York, this episode provides actionable insights on how to navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of teacher turnover without capsizing the ship of trust you've built with parents.

Key Quotes

• "Don't hide it. If there's a change in staff, notify the parents as soon as possible."
• "We can embrace individual teaching styles, but we can maintain that continuity through our curriculum and the educational philosophy that guides the teaching practice."
• "Sometimes it actually means picking up the phone or inviting the parent in and having a one-to-one conversation."
• "It's all about creating a community where turnover is not seen as a disruption, but as a natural and often enriching part of the international school experience."

Whether you're grappling with unexpected staff changes or strategizing for the annual shuffle, these insights will guide you in sustaining a strong relationship with your parent community.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com.

About the host

Shane Leaning is a passionate leadership development enthusiast with over 11 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

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