WHY THEY STAY: CRITICAL FACTORS FOR TEACHER RETENTION

Abstract

My district in North Carolina is one of many across the country impacted by a shortage of teachers caused by attrition and fewer people entering the profession. Educational leaders must increase teacher retention to sufficiently staff their schools. Data on teacher turnover is largely based on surveys completed by exiting teachers. This study gathers perspectives from the teachers who stay, to better understand what has kept them in the profession. This approach proactively identified strategies to improve teacher job satisfaction to increase the number of teachers who remain at their current school. Q Methodology was used to determine the factors that are most important for job satisfaction to teachers at a comprehensive high school in central North Carolina. Two distinct factor groups emerged from the data: Monarchy High School, named due to the significance of site-based school leadership and Federation High School where collegial relationships with peers were central to remaining in the profession. Post-sort interviews provided insight to why teachers hold their beliefs. The findings of this study can be used by school leaders to develop a better understanding of how to intentionally design supportive working environments to increase teacher retention.