Teachers and administrators play a vital role in shaping the future of education, but today's schools face pressing challenges in both recruitment and retention. To help schools support their teachers, the CTE TAC is excited to introduce CTE Together: Supporting Teachers through Connection, Culture, and Care. This video series is designed to spark reflection, provide practical strategies, and strengthen the culture of care within schools.
This ongoing series highlights how small, intentional actions can have a big impact — whether it's inspiring the next generation of educators or building stronger connections that keep teachers thriving in their roles.
Recruitment
Retention
This video highlights the power of storytelling. By sharing authentic classroom experiences, teachers can showcase the rewards of the profession, shift perceptions, and inspire others to consider a career in education.
This video reminds administrators, leaders, and mentors to guide new employees with empathy. By using the “Start, Stop, Continue” approach, you can help them learn from mistakes without shame, encourage growth, and build stronger, trusting relationships that support long-term success.
This video emphasizes the importance of engaging with curiosity. When others ask about teaching, every question is an opportunity to share your story, highlight the rewards of the profession, and encourage those who may be considering a future in education.
Limiting assumptions often keep people stuck in unfulfilling jobs. By asking thoughtful questions and offering teaching as a meaningful alternative, we can help others break out of their “neural ruts,” explore new possibilities, and consider a career where they can make a real impact.
This video explores how mentors can effectively guide and connect with the next generation of educators. By fostering collaboration and asking thoughtful questions, mentors can help new teachers develop self-awareness, maturity, and critical thinking skills that support long-term growth and success.
Stress can be a major challenge in teaching, and it often arises from gaps between expectations and resources, especially as generational perspectives differ. This video shows how mentors and leaders can support educators, bridge those gaps, and foster long-term success.
The way we think and talk about teaching matters. This video encourages educators to focus on the joy and purpose of their work, showing how a positive outlook can lift spirits, shape conversations, and influence how others view the profession.
This video introduces the idea of a “2 a.m. response” - a simple, natural way to start meaningful conversations about teaching. By being prepared with the right question and knowing when to listen, educators can help others explore new possibilities and discover a career that offers purpose, impact, and fulfillment.
This video explores the importance of professional skills in building confident, effective teachers. By clearly defining and intentionally teaching skills like communication, attention to detail, and teamwork alongside technical knowledge, leaders can support growth, reduce stress, and create a stronger, more supportive teaching culture.
This video explores how aligning organizational culture with the values of a multigenerational workforce can improve teacher longevity. By understanding and supporting priorities like work-life balance, open communication, and meaningful engagement, leaders can create a culture that retains talented educators and builds a strong foundation for the future.
This video encourages educators to guide those who may be interested in teaching by serving as a trusted “GPS” on their journey. By understanding the pathway into the profession, showing patience, and offering ongoing encouragement, teachers can help others navigate the steps toward a rewarding career in education.
This video highlights the power of a simple question. By taking the initiative to ask others if they have ever considered teaching, educators can open doors to new possibilities, spark meaningful conversations, and help people discover a career where they can make a lasting difference in the lives of students.
This video highlights the powerful role mentorship plays in helping educators reach their full potential. By understanding individual learning styles, perspectives, and challenges, mentors can guide teachers along personalized pathways to growth - building confidence, encouraging positive thinking, and fostering long-term professional success.
This video explores the balance between policies and people. By approaching mistakes and compliance with empathy, patience, and understanding, leaders can build stronger relationships, support professional growth, and create a culture where expectations are met without losing sight of the individual behind them.
This video encourages educators to become advocates for the teaching profession within their communities. By speaking at local organizations (like the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs) and community events, teachers can share their experiences, raise awareness about the profession, and inspire others to explore careers in education.
Those who teach have natural qualities that influence others: authenticity, humility, empathy, and perseverance. By being yourself and continuing to share these qualities with others, teachers will likely inspire others to teach as well.
This video explores how generational perspectives shape the way we mentor and lead. By separating professional expertise from generational norms, leaders can better support new educators, foster mutual understanding, and help the next generation succeed on their own terms.
Everyone always has a choice in how they react to challenging situations. As a mentor administrator, it is important to guide those under your management to react to challenges with hope rather than anger, fear, or frustration.
This video explores how a simple question can open the door to a new career path. By being willing to ask, listen, and connect others with the information they need, educators can help people discover teaching as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.
This video encourages you to stop hinting and start having direct, honest conversations about teaching. By asking permission to ask a question, recognizing the qualities that make someone a great teacher, and simply listening to their response, educators can plant a seed and open the door to a new career possibility.
Timothy Buchanan, founder of Critical Thinking In Motion, is an author, speaker, and trainer focusing on career skills for 15- to 30-year-olds. He also conducts train-the-trainer seminars for those who interact with this age group. He is the author of several books and workshops teaching character and life skills. For 15 years, he was an award-winning affiliate faculty member in the graduate business program at Regis University. He taught and produced curricula on leadership, performance management, and communications. His vision is to help people gain confidence through career and life skills to maximize their potential.