Preparing and Retaining Diverse Teachers Using Workplace Preference Data

• In Event: Diversifying the Teacher Workforce for and From Diverse Communities and Contexts

Abstract

Drawing from workplace preferences and teacher attrition literature, and empirical data from a large diverse secondary teacher education program, this paper proposes models for stakeholder collaboration to intentionally prepare, match and support diverse teacher candidates for, with and within urban sites based on workplace preferences, setting up workplace conditions that promote teacher retention and success in the classroom. This research can inform the practice of multiple stakeholders to strengthen teacher retention and honor teacher humanity by creating more sustainable sites of practice and cohesive opportunities for teacher development through the work of multi-level policy makers that can ultimately provide better teaching and learning environments for these teachers, promoting teacher retention in traditionally “hard to staff” sites.

Authors

• Betina Hsieh, California State University - Long Beach

• Alejandra Priede, California State University - Long Beach