It’s no secret: schools are struggling to find (and keep) teachers. The teacher shortage has been an ongoing discussion for nearly a decade but has escalated in recent years. Factors like a decreasing pipeline, increasing burnout, and widespread behavioral challenges have led some teachers to take a break or leave education. 

The good news? Technology can help! Artificial intelligence tools, behavior management systems, and a single-record student information system can lighten teachers’ workloads and alleviate some of their stress. Keep reading to learn how some schools are incorporating these technologies to help satisfy and retain their teaching staff — and how you can, too. 

Supplementing with Artificial Intelligence 

According to research from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), fifty percent of independent school teachers find their job often or always stressful. Between teaching, grading, planning lessons, communicating with families, analyzing student progress, and everything in between, there’s often not enough time in the day to get it all done. NAIS reports that the majority (ninety percent) of independent school teachers work more than forty hours each week with twenty-five percent working closer to sixty hours.  

Some educators are reclaiming this time with artificial intelligence (AI). In our 2024 Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Private and Independent Schools Report, teachers told us that AI is helping them save up to eight hours each week — equivalent to a full day’s work. While AI can’t (and shouldn’t!) do everything, it can be a great assistant for tasks like communication, content creation, lesson planning, and brainstorming. 

If you’re interested in using AI to supplement your workload but are not sure where to start, try these popular tools:  

  • Generative AI tools like ChatGPT 
  • PDF analyzers like AskYourPDF 
  • Video transcription tools like Otter 
  • Presentation creation tools like Beautiful.AI 

For those who haven’t adopted AI yet, lack of knowledge is a top barrier. As with any new technology, AI comes with a bit of a learning curve. Teachers will benefit from hands-on training and professional development. You can also this time to walk through your school’s AI policy and emphasize the importance of data privacy and security in the age of AI. 

Lastly, consider that some teachers might be morally or ethically opposed to AI. Check out these tips from ATLIS for responding to common objections and getting your teachers on board with this time-saving technology.  

Managing Behavior Electronically 

Another factor contributing to teacher burnout is student behavior. Over the last few years, student disruption has drastically increased in K-12 classrooms. As classroom disruption grows, so does a teacher’s workload. Research from EAB shows that teachers spend 144 minutes each week — up to three weeks each school year — managing behavior, communicating with families, and keeping track of behavioral notes. 

As a result, behavior management systems are growing in popularity. ePraise, for example, is a behavior management and motivation system that enables school staff to address both positive and negative student behavior. Instead of tracking behavioral notes manually, ePraise provides a user-friendly digital interface that makes it easy to see which students are acting out, excelling, or making progress towards their goals.  

Behavior management tools like ePraise not only help teachers manage student behavior more efficiently but are also proven to motivate students and improve behavior over time. Talk about a win-win! 

Streamlining Data Management 

Another way to lighten teachers’ workload and prevent burnout is to streamline data management. On a day-to-day basis, teachers rely on their student information system (SIS) to track attendance, grades, and everything in between. Depending on the SIS, this can be a smooth and straightforward process, or it can eat up valuable time. 

With PowerSchool as their SIS, teachers at Breck School in Minneapolis, MN struggled to make simple updates and trust their information. This resulted in time-consuming workflows and error-ridden communications. “It was a silo within the school,” says A.J. Colianni, Director of Technology. “It wasn’t considered to be the source of truth. There were discrepancies between different databases about which one had the most up-to-date or current information.”  

Comparatively, Veracross is helping schools like Armbrae Academy “reduce some of the potential misinformation,” says Ally Read, Deputy Head of School. “It’s easier to know what’s going on when everything is posted in the same place… teachers can block out some noise.”  

Preventing Teacher Burnout 

As schools continue to navigate the teacher shortage, it is critical to explore how technology can improve faculty retention and satisfaction. By leveraging tools like artificial intelligence, behavior management solutions, and a one-person, one-record student information system, teachers can reclaim their time and energy and prevent burnout.  

To learn more about how technology can help teachers do more of what they love, watch our video series.