Improve Teacher Sustainability

Educators for Excellence-Los Angeles

June 2024

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Los Angeles

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According to E4E’s 2024 Voices from the Classroom survey, only 16% of educators would recommend the teaching profession to a friend or family member. What can schools do to address teachers’ needs and improve the profession’s sustainability?

A group of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) educators gathered during the 2023-2024 school year to dig into research, gather input from their colleagues, and propose teacher-crafted policy recommendations to improve the teaching profession’s sustainability. 

Through independent and collaborative research, teacher-led focus groups, and conversations with districts across the country, these Los Angeles teachers have suggested three focus areas, with specific policy shifts in each area, that, if addressed, would improve teacher sustainability.

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Main themes 

Compensation and workload 

  • Increase planning time in the workday
  • Increase the number of paid teacher prep days 
  • Increase the number of on-site professionals: psychologists, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals

Mentorship and leadership 

  • Increase Access to Existing Teacher Mentorship Programs
  • Improve Accountability for Mentorship Programs
  • Increase the number of co-teaching classrooms

Evaluation and professionalism

  • Implement Collaborative Student Learning Outcomes
  • Increase Classroom-Level Formal Leadership Opportunities

Take action now 

Teacher prep time is a primary recommendation for increasing the sustainability of teaching. At the elementary level, teachers only receive 27 minutes to prepare – half that of the national average! You can sign our petition urging LAUSD to increase compensated prep time for teachers. 

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About the Teacher Action Team

Anji Williams. Anji is a teacher at Bancroft Middle School. With over two decades of experience, Anji is also a member of the Racial Justice Taskforce and a proud LAUSD parent.

Elisabetta Pepe. Elise is a teacher and UTLA Chapter Chair at Flournoy Elementary School. Elise is also the Gifted and Talented (GATE) Chair and sits on the Positive Behavior Committee.

Laura Kampmeyer Jaeggi. Laura is currently a Literary Interventionist at Maclay Middle School. With decades of experience in the district, Laura also has served as her school as a Magnet Coordinator, Gate Coordinator, Instructional Coach, Lead Teacher, Department Chair, and Senior Advisor.

Judith Angeles. Judith is currently a Targeted Student Population Advisor for two primary centers in Central Los Angeles. With twenty-eight years of teaching, she has also served as grade level chair, UTLA Chair and Co-Chair, ELLP Designee, Science Ambassador, Title I Coordinator, TSP Advisor, and EL Designee.

Claire Ilo. Claire is a teacher at Orville Wright Engineering and Design Magnet. She has led as the Restorative Justice Lead and has worked as a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Coach.