44% of New Teachers Quit Within 5 Years

Here’s How to Stop the Cycle in Your District

Teacher turnover is costing your district thousands—and your students even more.

The READY for School Academy is the proven, research-backed solution that gives new elementary teachers the skills and confidence they need to stay, thrive, and make an impact from day one.

STOP the Revolving Door of Teacher Turnover

Nearly half of all new teachers leave the profession within their first five years.

The impact on student learning and school culture is devastating.

Teacher attrition costs U.S. school districts an estimated $8 billion annually.

New elementary teachers struggle with classroom management, lesson planning, and student engagement, leading to stress, burnout, and early resignation.

Most teachers don’t leave because they no longer love teaching—they leave because they don’t feel prepared.

There IS a Better Way to Set Your Elementary Teachers Up for Success

Imagine a school where your first- and second-year teachers walk into their classrooms on Day One feeling confident, capable, and in control.

The READY for School Academy makes this possible. This self-paced, research-backed online training program gives new teachers the real-world strategies and tools they need to succeed—before they even set foot in the classroom.

What’s Inside the READY for School Academy?

✅ Scaffolded Mentorship Support and Guidance for teachers preparing for the year that is self-paced with a flexible schedule.

✅ On-Demand Support During the Summer Months when teachers have lots of questions but mentor teachers are not as readily available.

✅ Facilitator Guide for mentor teachers and instructional coaches to provide support without a heavy time investment.

✅ Step-by-Step Video Trainings on classroom set-up and design, classroom management, planning & data management, and parent relationships.

✅ 150+ Printable Resources and Templates (including 3 classroom themes) that eliminate overwhelm and help teachers create a positive, structured learning environment.

✅ Program Certification and 50 PD Credit Hours for each teacher upon completion of the program and passing five 15-point assessments.

Why Districts Are Investing in
READY for School Academy

Increases Teacher Retention

Schools that prioritize strong new teacher support see significantly lower turnover rates.

Reduces Behavior Issues & Increases Instructional Time

When teachers know how to manage their classrooms effectively, students stay engaged, learn more, and misbehave less.

Saves Time for Instructional Coaches & Admin

Teachers begin the year already equipped with classroom management and instructional strategies.

Not Just for New Teachers

Experienced teachers who are changing classrooms or grade levels have a streamlined system to save time and stress as they prepare for the school year.

Proven Success

Over 3,000 elementary teachers trained with results that show increased teacher confidence, job satisfaction, and long-term commitment to the profession.

The Cost of Doing Nothing?
Thousands of Dollars and Lost Student Learning

Replacing just one teacher can cost a district between $9,000 and $20,000—and that doesn’t include the toll it takes on school culture, student achievement, and instructional consistency.

The READY for School Academy is an affordable, high-impact solution designed to keep your teachers engaged, supported, and thriving in their first critical years.

School and District Leaders Understand the Positive Correlation between Strong Classroom Management and Student Learning:

“The biggest hurdle to overcome for a first year teacher is almost always classroom management. This must be highly efficient before you can become an expert in your content.”

- Cari Owens, Principal at Eddins Elementary,
Quoted from The Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast,
Episode #254

"This will be my 8th year teaching elementary and I absolutely loved the Academy! Not only is it a GREAT training for new teachers, it also gives me the extra support and reminders of things I don't want to forget and helps me realized what I'm doing correctly or things I might want to adjust. She gives so many goodies to us and is such a great speaker. I would highly recommend this to new teachers and to us veteran teachers!"

- Janelle Foster, Academy Graduate

"I am so beyond excited that Dr. Lori and her program found their way to me. I wish all schools required this as part of their teacher training because college does not prepare you like this does. If you are thinking about it and wondering if it's worth it, rest assured that it definitely is. Invest in yourself like you do your students. They will be the ones benefiting from this as well. Get this program!"
- Melissa Macias, Academy Graduate

READY for School Academy Creator:
Dr. Lori Friesen

✅ 10 years’ elementary teaching experience.
✅ PhD in Education, University of Alberta.
✅ Presidential Doctoral Prize of Distinction.
✅ Taught pre-service teachers, University of Lethbridge.
✅ 3,000+ READY for School Academy graduates.
✅ 600,000+ downloads: Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast.
✅ Author: Dear New Teacher, Here’s Exactly What to Do (2024) and The Beginning Teacher's Handbook for Elementary School (2007).

"As a part of our New Teacher Induction process, all teachers are given two resources to utilize. One is The First Days of School book by Harry Wong, which has sold over 3 million copies. The other resource is Lori Friesen’s The Beginning Teacher’s Handbook for Elementary School. It is a great tool that provides new elementary teachers with many practical ideas and applications. The value of this book is apparent when I have veteran, experienced teachers requesting copies of their own."

- Lowell S. Leffler, Former Deputy Superintendent,
Prairie Rose School Division #8

The R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy is a game-changer for new and experienced teachers alike.

With a strong foundation in research-backed best practices, this program bridges the gap between theory and real-world teaching—ensuring educators step into their classrooms with confidence and clarity. Dr. Lori has created an invaluable program that empowers teachers to establish thriving learning environments from day one. If you’re looking to start the school year strong, this academy is the perfect place to begin!

Robin Bright, PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education
University of Lethbridge

Give Your Elementary Teachers the Training They Deserve

What other teachers are saying about their experience inside READY for School Academy:

📢 Join the school districts investing in their elementary teachers' success.

Book a 20-Minute Discovery Call Now

References

Carver-Thomas, D., & Darling-Hammond, L. (2024). What’s the cost of teacher turnover? Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/2024-whats-cost-teacher-turnover-factsheet

Diliberti, M., Schwartz, H. L., & Grant, D. (2021). Stress topped the reasons why public school teachers quit, even before COVID-19. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1121-2.html

Economic Policy Institute. (2019). The teacher shortage is real, large and growing, and worse than we thought. https://www.epi.org/publication/the-teacher-shortage-is-real-large-and-growing-and-worse-than-we-thought-the-first-report-in-the-perfect-storm-in-the-teacher-labor-market-series/

Heiser, P. (2025, January 13). Exploring the financial impact of teacher turnover. New York State School Boards Association. https://www.nyssba.org/news/2025/01/10/on-board-online-january-13-2025/exploring-the-financial-impact-of-teacher-turnover/

Henry, G. T., & Redding, C. (2020). The consequences of leaving school early: The effects of within-year and end-of-year teacher turnover. Education Finance and Policy, 15(2), 332–356. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1250200

Learning Policy Institute. (2017). The role of teacher preparation and professional development in teacher shortages. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/topic/teacher-preparation-and-professional-learning

Matsumoto-Royo, K., & Ramírez-Montoya, M. S. (2021). Core practices in practice-based teacher education: A systematic literature review of its teaching and assessment process. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 70, 101047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2021.101047

National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). Teacher turnover rates remain stable despite challenges (NCES 2023-144). U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2023/2023144.pdf

Sutcher, L., Darling-Hammond, L., & Carver-Thomas, D. (2016). When teachers leave: Understanding the financial impact of teacher turnover on schools. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teacher-turnover-report