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Last week, I had the opportunity to attend an event during which TEA Commissioner Mike Morath spoke. As a private school representative, I was definitely a minority in the room. Dr. Morath’s message was targeted toward those making decisions within public schools and school districts. His encouragement was to take action to improve teacher recruitment and retention. At Logos Prep, we recognize the significance of this goal. This is why the second of our three commitments driving strategic decision making deals specifically with this objective. You may recall that our first commitment is above all else, to intentionally protect and advance our mission and vision as a Christ-centered community regardless of our growth or how the world around us changes. Our second commitment has to do with talent. “We are committed to employing highly engaged, Christian educators
who love the Lord, have a heart for students, possess expertise in the subject, and demonstrate the gift of teaching.”

According to Dr. Morath, “Teachers are the single most important in-school factor impacting student outcomes.” Sadly, he reported that only 4% of high school students indicate an interest in majoring in education. Of those that do major in education, only 23% of new teachers in the United States come from the top third of their college graduating classes. Of further concern is retention. Morath shared that statistically, a Texas public school student in 1985 was most likely to have a classroom teacher with 15 years of experience. Today, a Texas public school student is far more likely to have a classroom teacher in his or her first year of teaching. I can see why he is concerned.

Whether one believes there is a correlation between the two or not, Morath also reported that of students studied in 2023, only 36% of Texas public school graduates had received an industry certification or completed a two or four year degree within six years of high school graduation. It is not surprising that the Texas 2036 report produced by the George W. Bush Institute reveals that many Texas students may not be equipped to compete in the job market. The study found that only a tiny fraction of Texas students will hold the necessary credentials by 2036 to compete for over 70% of the jobs available, all of which will require some sort of post secondary credential. These are alarming statistics but, thankfully, God has not put our students on this trajectory. In fact, most Logos Prep graduates pursue and complete four year degrees with many seeking post-graduate degrees. Logos Prep graduates are not unprepared for the world beyond the classroom. Nevertheless, we recognize the great need to recruit, retrain and develop excellent educators who will consistently help students reach their full potential in the classroom.

On average, Logos Prep classroom teachers have 13 years of teaching experience. Of our sixty-two teachers, only four are in their first year of teaching.  Thirty-three teachers have taught for ten or more years. This provides our new teachers with excellent mentors. Once at Logos Prep, teachers remain. Amongst current teachers, the average number of service years at Logos Prep is six. You can rest assured that our commitment to recruiting, training and retaining excellent educators will not waver. Though the world of education around us may quake, we will continue to do what is required to provide Logos Prep students with engaged teachers who love the Lord, have a heart for students, possess expertise in their subject, and demonstrate the gift of teaching.

Tammy McIlvoy
Head of School
Logos Preparatory Academy