Some key take-away lessons from the McKinsey study on K-12 teacher retention in the United States are:

1. Compensation is a significant factor in teacher retention. More than half of teachers who plan to leave cite compensation as a reason, while more than a third of teachers who plan to stay say it's a reason for staying.

2. Workload is a major concern for teachers. Almost three-quarters of teachers who plan to leave cite an unmanageable workload, while nearly three-quarters of those who plan to stay say their workload is manageable.

3. Nonfinancial incentives and public recognition can enhance teachers' sense of purpose and meaning in their job. Integrating more nonfinancial incentives and public recognition into educators' jobs may be particularly useful for educators working in high-poverty districts.

4. School leaders should focus on providing support and mentorship to teachers. Increasing the time available for leaders to connect with students and provide greater support to teachers through coaching, feedback, and mentorship can enhance the satisfaction and sense of purpose of school leaders.

5. The switch to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has bee