Educators’ confidence is rising—how do we sustain long-term growth?

As a researcher, I always love the Educator Confidence Report because it gives us a roadmap for how to give teachers and administrators what they need to help kids thrive.

Here’s what we learned this year.

First and foremost, educator confidence is rebounding. Positivity in the profession is up 10 percentage points since last year, marking its highest level post-pandemic. This is more than just simply a mood shift. It correlates to meaningful indicators, including teachers observing stronger student growth, more effective use of technology, and renewed energy in the classroom.

This is also no small win.

Educators’ confidence isn’t just a sentiment – it’s a strategy. It impacts everything from teacher retention to instructional effectiveness to willingness to adopt new tools and practices. A confident teacher is more likely to try something new, to stay in the profession, and to foster deeper learning experiences for students. In short: confidence leads to more stable, student-centered classrooms.

What could be driving the shift in educator confidence?

• Teachers are seeing student progress again. One of the strongest signals in this year’s data was that more teachers are seeing academic growth in their students. After years of disruption, that sense of forward momentum is powerful – and confidence-building. It reinforces that what educators are doing every day is making a difference.
• Technology is helping teachers focus on what they love. Educators are using digital tools more strategically, not just for efficiency, but to reconnect with students. When tech helps teachers reclaim time, streamline planning, or personalize learning, it supports the human side of teaching. And that, in turn, fuels optimism.
• A return to joy. The overall tone in schools is shifting from survival to purpose. While challenges remain, many educators are reconnecting with the parts of the profession that bring a sense of joy to their work: seeing student progress, connecting with peers, exploring new ideas, and feeling part of a collective effort.

But there is still more to be done:

• Over half of educators still feel negatively about the profession. Yes, optimism is improving, but 54% of educators still express negative feelings about their work. That’s too high. If we want to sustain the gains we’re seeing, we have to continue listening to what educators are telling us – and acting on it.
• Leadership stability is at risk. While teacher retention is holding steady, more administrators are planning to leave the field, with 36% saying they’ll definitely exit within five years. That’s a 10-point jump from last year. Leadership matters deeply to school culture and educator morale. This is an emerging pressure point we can’t ignore.
• Funding is a top concern. Educators cite decreasing funding and lack of support as their number one concern. It’s a reminder that confidence can grow, but only if systems invest in sustaining it.
• Mental health remains a high-stakes issue. We did see a small decline in mental health concerns for both students and staff, which is encouraging. But the numbers are still high. Burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion continue to take a toll – and they directly impact confidence, connection, and classroom outcomes.

All in all, this year’s findings are a hopeful sign – not just of recovery, but of possibility. Now is the time to build on that progress by listening, supporting, and building systems that truly work for teachers so they feel both equipped and empowered to thrive.

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