Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Rural Areas

Abstract

Teacher recruitment and retention has long been a challenge across the state of North Carolina. Rural school districts are especially affected due to small population sizes, limited access to housing, and limited resources. Rural areas form a large portion of North Carolina. High quality educators are needed in these areas to provide students with a quality education, regardless of where they live. The focus of this study is to determine perspectives of prospective educators and determine what factors are important when deciding where to teach. In addition, perspectives of current rural school teachers are taken into account to determine what strategies can be used to recruit and retain new teachers in these school systems. To gather data, a survey was sent to students in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at East Carolina University. Following this survey, a small focus group gathered together to further explain their perspectives. Interviews were also held with current rural school teachers to discuss potential recruitment strategies and their perspectives of teaching in a rural school. Following the survey and interviews, the data was analyzed to determine potential themes. It is hoped that this information will help school administrators and leaders recruit and retain teachers.