In recent months, ELARA has been hit by an alarming wave of teacher departures leaving students and parents worried about the future of their education. Nearly 50% of our teachers have left their positions. Did you know that such a high turnover can change student performance by 20% and lead to increased behavioral issues? This alarming tissue has everyone at ELARA wondering with concern.This pattern has raised some concerns among students, parents, and remaining staff members alike. These departures not only disrupt the learning environment but also strain the remaining staff. Teachers who stay behind are often overburdened, leading to burnout and further departures. This cycle creates a challenging atmosphere for everyone involved, making it crucial for ELARA to address these issues promptly. What’s causing this issue? We went straight to the topic and interviewed the teachers who left to uncover the truth. 

One of the primary reasons cited by departing teachers was the opportunity to pursue personal passions and professional growth. “The primary reason I left East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy was to continue doing athletics.” Being at the Social Justice Leadership Academy Magnet allows me to serve students of East Los Angeles in both capacities, “shared one former teacher. This highlights the importance of aligning one’s career with personal interests and the drive to make a broader impact. Students have also felt the impact of these departures. “I miss Mr. C’s classes he made PE fun and engaging,” said a Senior Yuricely Perez. Parents are equally concerned “We chose ELARA for its dedicated teachers, Now we’re worried about our children’s education,” expressed Mrs. Alfaro a parent of one student.

We also delved into whether the teachers’ experiences at ELARA met their initial expectations and how they felt about their experiences compared to their expectations. One teacher shared that the school initially had a bad reputation, but they worked hard for three years to change its culture, especially in the PE program. They felt proud of their decade-long dedication and enjoyed seeing students grow. Another teacher mentioned that teaching at ELARA helped them improve a lot, even though it was tough at times. “I learned a lot at Renaissance. Teaching the current senior class forced me to level up my teaching, and  I improved a lot because of all of you! As difficult as it once was, I fell in love with this profession because of you all,” they shared.  They also  emphasized the importance of managing responsibilities to avoid burnout. Overall, the teachers felt fulfilled by their efforts and successes in transforming the school environment. 

Finally, we asked for suggestions on how the school could improve to better support its teachers. One teacher highlighted the challenges of working at a pilot school with extra responsibilities, nothing that this leads to low teacher retention. Another teacher stressed the importance of strong administrative support for new teachers sharing their gratitude for Ms. Martinez´s encouragement. They also pointed out that experienced teachers can burn out from too many duties and suggested that the school should ensure teachers only take on what they can handle. Overall, the feedback emphasized the need for better support systems and manageable workloads to improve teacher retention and satisfaction. In conclusion, fixing these issues isn’t just about keeping teachers but also about making sure students get a good education. By following these suggestions, ELARA can create a more supportive and sustainable environment for its teachers, which will benefit the entire school community. The future of ELARA depends on taking these steps to create a balanced and nurturing atmosphere for both teachers and students.

Leslie Castillo is a senior at Esteban Torres High School. She enjoys assisting school staff with various tasks and projects, as well as cooking when she is not at school. She also taking time to do things at her own pace, and getting outsude to hike.