The special education workforce shortage is often framed as a recruitment problem, but attracting qualified professionals is only part of the solution. Schools and organizations must also create the leadership conditions and workplace cultures that make talented special educators want to stay, grow, and lead.

This webinar examines staff retention through an organizational leadership lens. Participants will explore how leadership support, psychological safety, role clarity, manageable expectations, professional growth, recognition, belonging, communication, and organizational trust influence employee engagement and longevity. The session will move beyond short-term staffing fixes to consider how leaders can intentionally build sustainable environments where professionals serving students with disabilities can thrive.

Using a practical retention framework, participants will assess the conditions within their own organizations, identify early warning signs of disengagement and burnout, and leave with actionable strategies for strengthening the employee experience while maintaining high expectations and keeping students at the center of organizational decisions.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least four leadership and organizational conditions that influence the retention of special education professionals.
• Analyze how psychological safety, role clarity, professional growth, recognition, belonging, and organizational trust can contribute to staff engagement and workforce stability.
• Recognize early indicators within a school or organization that may contribute to burnout, disengagement, and turnover.
• Develop one actionable leadership strategy to strengthen staff retention within the participant’s own school, district, program, or organization.

This webinar is sponsored by: Special Education Leadership Partners (SELP)

Disclaimer: CEC does not endorse or recommend programs, products, or services from external sources.