What happened
MindShift reports that Redwood Heights Elementary in Oakland is working with The Teaching Well, an Oakland-based nonprofit focused on educator wellbeing. Principal Cynthia Bagby said she sought a program to “take care of the teachers.” The organization says former educators provide mentoring, therapy, professional development and leadership coaching at individual, interpersonal and systemic levels. It says Redwood Heights retention rose from 75% in 2022-23 to 91% in 2024-25 during the partnership.
Why it matters
National surveys cited by MindShift found teachers report high stress and burnout, and researchers found teacher stress can influence classroom climate, student engagement and disciplinary practices. For schools and training teams, the practical lesson is that wellbeing support may need to address workload, relationships and leadership conditions, not only individual coping skills.
What to do next
Review retention, absence, workload and staff climate data before buying short wellness sessions. If using outside support, check whether services match educator needs, include mentoring or therapy where appropriate, involve leaders and can be sustained. Treat outcomes cautiously: the evidence includes one school’s reported retention change and the organization’s 85% national retention figure, but does not establish causation.
About this briefing
Reviewed by TutorFlow Editorial. We link the primary source, preserve its publication date, and distinguish reported claims from TutorFlow analysis. Our commentary focuses on practical decisions for educators and training teams.
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