Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

1-1-2017

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Louis Traina

Keywords

beginning teachers; personal narratives; school culture; teacher attitudes; teacher attrition; teacher burnout

Abstract

A Qualitative Research Study Examining Causes of Early Career Teacher Attrition in a South Florida School District, 2017: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. Keywords: teacher attitudes, school culture, beginning teachers, teacher attrition, teacher burnout, personal narratives Teachers in low-income schools are leaving the profession early in their career with no intention of returning to the kindergarten through Grade 12 classroom setting. Previous studies have shown that this is possibly a result of a complex combination of multiple factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of former teachers to uncover and understand the reasons for their leaving the profession early. It is true that teachers often leave the profession and do not return, yet many teachers in low-income schools, more than in any other environment, are more at risk of experiencing factors that deter them from maintaining their employment. The ethnographical method of narrative inquiry was used to interview 13 participants. These participants were all former employees at low-income high schools. The data were organized thematically and chronologically to promote an understanding of the complex influences on early career teacher attrition. The most significant themes were administrative support and school culture. Other themes discussed were the No Child Left Behind Act, teachers’ perspectives and expectations, internal and psychological influences, money, other career interests, and forced resignation.

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