Teachers in most American schools work in isolation, separated from other teachers, making it difficult to benefit from their colleagues' expertise or to share their expertise with others about how to help more students learn. However, a growing body of research shows that when teachers work more collaboratively, student outcomes can improve,…

This is the story of a beginning teacher, Ben. Ben was part of a mixed-method, qualitative study directed at exploring the student-teacher relationship experiences of beginning teachers. Time, mentor relationships and student-teacher relationships were all found to play an important role in the willingness, longevity, and efficacy of beginning…

In order to better prepare pre-service teachers for potential challenges in their first year of teaching, it is critical for both teacher educators and supervising teachers to provide strategies to strengthen pre-service teachers' beliefs and maintain their motivation. In this article, strengths-based theories are reviewed to provide a discussion…

New teachers need help. From day one, new teachers, largely on their own, are responsible for running a classroom and ensuring student learning, as well as fulfilling administrative requirements. Little wonder that 14% of new teachers leave by the end of their first year, 33% leave within three years, and almost 50% leave in five years (Ingersoll,…

Considerable research has been conducted into teacher retention and attrition (Huberman, 1989; Dinham, 1995; Ewing & Smith, 2002). Little is known, though, of the circumstances of ex-teachers, in terms of factors such as salary, workload, working conditions and "job prestige". For this paper, telephone interviews were conducted with 22…

Although several studies have confirmed the importance of teaching commitment for beginning teachers' retention in the profession, research on the factors that enhance the teaching commitment of teacher education graduates is scarce. The purpose of the current study is thus to identify the predicting factors that distinguish teacher education…

It has become common to hear that "young teachers are the hope and foundation of the schools. The future is in their hands." There is good reason for these expectations: young people have a long professional life ahead of them. However, the pedagogical professions are not that popular. Many graduates of higher pedagogical educational…

This study highlights the factors that contribute to excellence in urban science teaching as pinpointed by five urban African-American science teachers who have taught successfully in the urban system for over 10 years. These teachers shared their experiences and reflections on the qualities that contributed to their success and persistence as…

Context: Drawing from Ingersoll's (2001) study of teacher attrition, Huberman's (1989) study of the professional life cycle of teachers, and recent retention/attrition literature across the professions, this study seeks to make sense of the complexities of contemporary teachers' careers in light of changes in social and economic forces, the…

The practice of mentoring new teachers is spreading widely. School systems are finding that beginning teachers who have access to intensive mentoring are less likely to leave teaching. With the growing acceptance of the need to mentor novice teachers comes the danger that schools will attempt to implement mentor programs without paying adequate…

When preservice teachers graduate and obtain their first teaching positions, they begin what education practitioners often call "the rookie year." To make their transition smooth and their first-year experience successful requires a concentrated effort on the part of administrators and experienced faculty members who serve as leaders and mentors.…

Elementary, middle school, and high school principals have a powerful impact on the schools in their charge. These lead administrators mold the atmosphere of a school and, in turn, the feelings of the teachers who work in it. The current teacher shortage combined with the demands of standards-based education has made retaining new teachers a…

This study examined the effects of teacher characteristics, school conditions, teacher efficacy, external support, and remuneration on music educators' risk for attrition and migration. Data from the 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey--a comprehensive, nationally representative survey of teachers, principals, and schools conducted by the…

Unfortunately, alternatively certified novice teachers are not being properly prepared. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, the primary concern is that all classrooms are housed with highly qualified teachers. In the present, alternatively certified novice teacher attrition has increased significantly. Many classrooms across the United States have…

The first-day jitters. The first encounter with an angry parent. The first performance review. As a seasoned teacher, you remember each of these "firsts." But how can you relate your experiences to a new teacher? Find answers to these questions and the research to back them up in this tool-packed guide. "What Successful Mentors Do" offers sensible…