079: School Culture Where Teachers Want to Stay with Jessica Holloway and Carrie Bishop

The teacher shortage has shifted from theory to reality. Schools now struggle to fill positions that once drew hundreds of applicants. This urgent challenge calls for rethinking recruitment and retention.On this episode of the SELinEDU Podcast, iCarrie Bishop and Jessica Holloway share insights from their book Make Your School Irresistible: The Secret to Attracting and Retaining Great Teachers. Their message is clear: teachers don’t want pizza parties or casual Fridays; they want belonging, purpose, and partnership.Carrie and Jessica reveal how retention begins long before recruitment, with every interaction signaling what it feels like to work in a school. From interview experiences to casual hallway conversations, small moments create the culture that helps teachers stay. They emphasize validating teachers’ real challenges, building authentic community, and fostering spaces where educators feel valued.For disheartened teachers, the conversation also offers perspective: the right fit, whether in school, grade level, or subject, can reignite passion for the profession.Tune in for a candid and practical conversation on how to build schools where teachers don’t just survive, they thrive.EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with Carrie Bishop via the website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.Connect with Jessica Holloway via the website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.Purchase your copy of Make Your School Irresistible: The Secret to Attracting and Retaining Great Teachers.