The Decision to Teach in Urban Public, Urban Catholic, and Jewish Schools Among Elite College Graduates

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Examining Teacher Research and Classroom Practice

Abstract

According to the literature, there are three reasons that draw teachers into teaching: (1) gender-related reasons, (2) altruistic reasons, and (3) monetary rewards and job flexibility. Based on data from a new study of three preparation programs, this paper argues that teachers who were prepared at elite colleges and who chose teaching in urban public, urban Catholic, and Jewish schools rarely referred to the three reasons. Instead, these teachers tend to (a) conceptualize teaching around broad issues related to social justice, social change, and community revitalization arguing they joined teaching to improve society, and (b) seek leadership positions in their respective school sectors. These findings have policy implications in the context of debates over teacher recruitment and teacher quality.

Author

• Eran Tamir, Brandeis University