Some Memphis schools that need stability most are losing teachers at the fastest rates in the district.¶
Almost one in five Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) educators resigned in 2024, nearly double that of the statewide average of about 12 percent, according to an article by Chalkbeat. Turnover is especially high at some of the district’s lowest-performing schools, creating another problem for MSCS as it deals with hundreds of teacher vacancies, declining enrollment and a pending state intervention.¶
The numbers also raise a basic question for district leaders: Why are so many teachers leaving? MSCS does not conduct exit interviews with teachers who resign, so the district does not regularly collect information that could help answer that question. Our teacher-retention database also shows that retention rates can vary widely from one Tennessee school to another.¶
Struggling Schools Hit the Hardest
Teacher turnover looks starkly different from school to school in Memphis. Mt. Pisgah Middle/High School lost about two-thirds of its teachers during the 2024-2025 school year, according to state data that Chalkbeat reviewed. The school is also one of 14 MSCS campuses facing increased intervention after repeatedly struggling under Tennessee’s school accountability system. Meanwhile, Middle College High School, which received the state’s highest rating that year, did not lose any teachers.¶
No single reason appears to explain why teachers are leaving. Chalkbeat interviewed 10 current and former MSCS educators who pointed to several concerns, including school leadership, changing district policies, student behavior, classroom resources and building conditions. Former Willow Oaks Elementary School teacher Hunter Sandlin said he dealt with leaking air conditioning, old desks, and too few textbooks before leaving after last school year.¶
Because MSCS does not conduct districtwide exit interviews, it is difficult to know how often teachers have similar experiences. Nearly one-quarter of MSCS educators who responded to last year’s state teacher survey said they did not like how their school was run. The district was not included in the 2026 survey results because too few teachers responded.¶
Teacher Retention Efforts
MSCS is still struggling to fill classrooms. In an August survey, only 35 percent of school leaders said every teaching position was filled and ready for the first day of school, down from 41 percent the year before. Earlier this year, 230 vacant teaching positions had no pending job offers. The district has responded by holding seven job fairs, increasing teacher salaries by 2 percent and offering $1,000 bonuses to teachers who stay at the same school from one year to the next.¶
According to Chalkbeat, MSCS Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond has said he wants the district to do a better job keeping teachers, but he has also said any compensation increase must fit within the district’s budget. Memphis teachers earn a little more than $65,000 on average, while starting salaries are slightly above $51,000.¶
