Why Are They Leaving? Lessons for School Leaders Supporting Beginning Teachers

• In Event: Teacher Support: Efficacy, Perceptions, and New Teacher Experiences

Abstract

School leadership is the top reason given by teachers for transferring schools or leaving the profession altogether. In order to mitigate the growing rate of teachers abandoning the field, this study explored the leadership styles and practices that are most conducive to beginning teacher retention. Snowball sampling was employed to identify beginning teachers across multiple districts for participation in focus groups. These focus groups gathered teacher perceptions of best practices of school leaders to support and nurture them. This session will explore each of the emergent themes from the focus groups in relation to how school leadership practice, induction programs, and principal preparation instruction can be strengthened to create a supportive workplace for beginning teachers.
Descriptors: Beginning Teachers, Leadership, Teacher Retention

Authors

• Karen D. Jones, East Carolina University
  Presenting Author

• Travis Lewis, East Carolina University
  Presenting Author