Waypoint is proud to highlight our ongoing work with the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and Teach Plus on the Future of the American Teacher initiative. Our team has provided strategic counsel and support for this project, which centers teacher leadership in the national conversation on strengthening educator recruitment, retention, and long-term career sustainability.

A cornerstone of this initiative is the newly released research from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation, “Teaching for Tomorrow: Staying Power — What It Takes to Make Teaching Affordable and Sustainable”. The report reveals that while 67% of teachers plan to remain in K-12 education for their entire careers, many are forced to work multiple jobs to make the profession financially viable. Importantly, the research shows that teaching-related side work, such as tutoring or mentoring, can actually strengthen instruction and longevity, while non-teaching gigs often contribute to burnout.

This work has already sparked a significant national dialogue, including a recent deep dive by CNN on how the structure of teaching must evolve to support long-term careers in the classroom.

Looking ahead, Waypoint is supporting a Congressional Briefing hosted by BPC, Teach Plus, and Gallup on March 12, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol. This event will bring teacher voices directly to policymakers to discuss insights from the Gallup findings and the BPC Commission’s recommendations for modernized career pathways and family-supportive policies