“It’s Not for the Faint Hearted”: Beliefs About Barriers to Becoming High School STEM Teachers

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: STEM Teachers' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Experiences (Table 26)

Abstract

There is a persistent need for high-quality STEM teachers across the United States. Using interview data from nine high school and college students considering STEM education and nine practicing high school and college teachers, this study asks, “What are barriers or challenges to becoming STEM teachers?” Results indicated participants in this study identified the challenging nature of the profession as the most common barrier to becoming a STEM teacher. This included the stress teachers are under, the lack of professional respect coupled with low prestige, the demands of the job, and being overworked and underpaid. Implications to address recruitment and retention are addressed.

Authors

• Lindsay J. Wexler, North Central College

• Chandreyee Mitra, North Central College

• Susan Kempinger, North Central College