Should I Stay or Should I Go? A Qualitative Study of Experienced Teachers' Retention

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 34
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Longevity: Job Satisfaction, Expectations, and Expansion

Abstract

Teacher attrition is a pervasive concern for school systems because as many as 50 percent of teachers leave the field within seven years of service. Although research has identified various factors contributing to teachers' decisions to leave or stay in the profession, little attention has been paid to experienced teachers' retention. This qualitative study examines what motivates experienced teachers to remain in teaching despite professional challenges. Data were collected through individual interviews with 25 experienced teachers and were analyzed using grounded theory. Findings suggest that certain intrinsic characteristics teachers possess and extrinsic conditions about their work environment motivate them to remain in teaching. We discuss the study's implications for educational policy development and future research in teacher retention.

Authors

• Karla P Migues, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Sebnem Cilesiz, University of Louisiana at Lafayette