The teacher shortage across Missouri as well as many other states continues to be a significant concern among school districts. Some sources have estimated up to 100,000 unfilled teacher positions nationwide in 2025. Here in Richmond and surrounding school districts, we have also experienced our share of teacher shortages and unfilled positions. To help address this challenge, we are focusing on strategies to encourage teachers to stay longer in their current roles. The goal is to provide training for long-term district service, offer support through school and community resources and foster stronger connections among staff. Based on teacher and administrative experiences, we have developed several approaches to improve retention and set up all staff for success. These strategies include efforts to better support new teachers, strengthen professional development and build long-term investment in staff. Newcomers to our school district often need additional support to develop their…