The Emotionality of Leaving Teaching: The Role of Emotions on Early Career Teachers’ Decisions to Leave

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Teacher Commitment, Retention, and Staffing in the United States and Abroad

Abstract

Teachers have a powerful impact on student achievement, yet high attrition rates hinder schools in their ability to provide quality instruction. While many studies have examined factors related to attrition, including salary and administrative support, and others have explored the emotions of teaching, studies have not investigated the emotions of leaving and the impact of these emotions on the decision to leave early. This study closely examines the emotional experiences that come with leaving teaching early (within the first 5 years) using qualitative interviews to capture the perspectives of 25 early leavers (15 former public and 10 former Catholic school teachers). The findings indicate that the decision to leave teaching is a logical as well as an emotional decision.

Author

• Aubrey Scheopner Torres, Education Development Center, Inc.