Communities Are Built Around Their Schools
Vital Network is Helping North Dakota Keep Great Educators
North Dakota ranks in the top 20% of states for Teaching Attractiveness, with competitive starting pay, strong leadership, and dedicated professional development.
Even so, the state faces significant educator workforce strain — attractiveness alone hasn't been enough to solve the retention challenge.
While North Dakota has competitive starting pay, strong leadership, and dedicated professional development, the state still faces significant educator workforce strain.
of schools unable to fill teacher vacancies, or finding it very difficult to do so.
Every subject. Every grade level. All content areas are identified as critical shortage in 2024–2025 — the pressure is system-wide.
One in three educators leave the profession within their first five years.
reported improved work-life balance after leaving.
Source: Ingersoll et al. / NCES Teacher Follow-Up Survey — citation pending
reported more manageable workloads after leaving teaching.
When we address work-life balance and workload pressures, schools become more attractive places to work.
Across districts partnering with Vital Network, educators consistently share the same story: they love their students and believe deeply in the work — but the day-to-day conditions are making it hard to stay.
Working in education is one of the most meaningful and challenging paths you could choose. It’s not easy. There are long days, emotional demands, and moments of frustration, but the impact you make is real and lasting.
— Fargo educator
North Dakota's educator retention challenge is fundamentally a workplace conditions issue, not simply a recruitment issue.
The state has important strengths, but improving day-to-day working conditions is essential to keeping educators in the profession.
Losing Teachers is Costing North Dakota
A student will lose up to ½ year of learning for every one teacher turnover.
Turnover of one teacher costs North Dakota up to $20,000.
ND spends an estimated $25MM each year on costs associated with turnover.
61% of schools reported being unable to, or finding it very difficult to, fill teacher vacancies.
The extent to which required meetings are worthwhile.
The ability to maintain a healthy balance between school responsibilities and your life outside of work.
The experience of having enough time, resources, and support to do the job well without the work feeling unmanageable.
Strengthening ND's Educator Workforce Statewide
How and Why: Measuring Educator Experience
Quality of leadership relationships, collegial trust, and sense of community among staff and families.
Psychological safety and belonging are foundational for engagement, collaboration, and stability.
Educator input in school and district decisions, clarity of communication, and collective problem-solving.
Ownership and collective efficacy are strong predictors of motivation and retention.
Workload manageability, value of meetings, and autonomy over time use.
Sustainable time use reduces burnout and protects effectiveness.
Hope, sense of purpose, energy, and belief in school improvement.
Closely linked to intent to stay and long-term career satisfaction.
Jeff McCanna shares how Vital Network transformed staff well-being and organizational health at one of North Dakota's largest school districts.
Watch NowDr. Jeff McCanna
Chief Human Capital Officer, Fargo Public Schools
Resources & Reports
Research, tools, and reference materials from Vital Network's work in North Dakota.
The full research report on educator workforce conditions in North Dakota — data, findings, and recommendations.
View Resource →North Dakota education leaders speak on Vital Network's influence — amplifying voices, improving morale, and driving measurable change.
View Resource →District-level summaries highlighting educator perspectives, key data points, and workplace experience findings.
View Resource →An interactive self-assessment tool helping educators identify their mindset strengths and growth opportunities.
Take the Quiz →Read More:
North Dakota Interim State of the State Report
With this continued work, North Dakota can lead the nation in retaining great teachers.
Listen to Jeff McCanna, Chief Human Capital Officer, Fargo Public Schools talk about their experience working with Vital Network.