The numbers are in, and they are not rosy. According to the "Schools and Staffing Survey," 64,954 public schools reported vacancies during the 2003-04 school year. Even more alarming is the fact that projections suggest teacher attrition rates will continue to soar, while student enrollments climb, well into the 21st century. American schools have an urgent challenge: the retention of teachers. Although the forecast seems bleak, teachers can do something to help retain their colleagues. First, teachers must become aware of research that has examined dissatisfactions with the teaching profession. Second, they must use these findings to form policy and influence change. Only then can they say they are truly addressing the teacher retention crisis. In this article, the author addresses the five most commonly cited issues in teacher retention and offers four specific recommendations for how teachers can become leaders who can influence those factors. (Contains 20 endnotes.)