Only 35% of U.S. K–12 educators surveyed said they matter a great deal at their school. Another 19% said they matter little or not at all, according to research from Gallup, the Walton Family Foundation and The Mattering Institute. Gallup’s survey findings
Burnout and plans to stay
Among educators who said they matter little or not at all, 68% reported frequent burnout and fewer than half expected to stay in education long term. The survey measured educators’ experiences and intentions. Its findings show an association between feeling overlooked and burnout. Walton Family Foundation findings
The researchers use “mattering” to describe both feeling valued and having opportunities to contribute. Helping a student through something difficult was one of the strongest examples. Some 85% of educators said doing so made them feel they mattered a great deal. Gallup’s report overview
What turnover can cost schools
When teachers leave, schools have to recruit, hire and bring replacements up to speed. In a separate report, Gallup cited an estimated replacement cost of 80% of annual salary for professional employees such as teachers. That figure is a benchmark, and the cost of filling a vacancy can vary by district. Gallup’s report on the future of teaching