On the Verge of Leaving: Teachers' Decisions to Stay

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: Valuing and Supporting Teachers: Increasing Teacher Retention (Table 3)

Abstract

Much research has been devoted to understanding why teachers leave the profession, but less attention has been paid to understanding why teachers choose to stay. This question is urgent given low enrollment in teacher education programs and resignations following the COVID-19 pandemic. Using pláticas as a methodology, three education faculty and four novice teachers discussed their experiences teaching during COVID and the reasons the novice teachers decided to stay despite their initial plan to leave the profession. In this study, novice teachers shared specific strategies and professional opportunities that provided support during challenging times and expressed a commitment to support each other and other colleagues struggling with the decision to stay in the classroom.

Authors

• Eleonora Villegas-Reimers, Boston University
  Presenting Author

• Janine Bempechat, Boston University
  Presenting Author

• Margarita Jimenez-Silva, University of California - Davis
  Presenting Author

• Ashley Alarcon, Pensar Academy
  Presenting Author

• Julie Cusano, Manchester School District
  Presenting Author

• Melody Esqueda, Los Angeles City Unified School District
  Presenting Author

• Melissa Gorman Mercado, Cesar E. Chavez Leadership Academy
  Presenting Author