Education Week’s State of Teaching symposium and survey found that teacher morale improves when leaders provide workplace flexibility and sustained leadership. Panelists, including Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Louisa Sparrow and superintendent Almi Abeyta, said practical supports — schedule flexibility, predictable leadership and better family leave — increase retention even when budgets are tight. The symposium highlighted that high regional salaries do not fully offset cost‑of‑living pressures and inflexible schedules. Districts such as Chelsea, Mass., that raised pay and benefits reported improvements, while others noted persistent recruitment challenges. K‑12 administrators, state policy makers and education schools should factor leader tenure and flexible work policies into staffing models and professional‑development plans.