Transitioning from teacher candidate to beginning teacher remains a difficult one despite school districts' efforts to provide mentoring and induction programs. This commentary examines teacher attrition and current practices used to support new teachers entering the profession. We draw on the tenets of characteristics of effective mentorships and…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of six first-year teachers related to the practices they experienced through the systemwide induction program within one Georgia school system, Beckett County School District (pseudonym). The researcher sought to investigate the types of coaching tools (i.e., observations,…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine teacher mentor actions, specifically through the conversations between early career teachers and their mentors within a mentoring program in one Georgia metropolitan school system. The researcher sought to explore the meaning that early career teachers made of these conversations.…

This dissertation explores teacher preparedness to engage with a diverse Westo, Georgia, student population effectively. The study emphasizes the pivotal role played by teacher training and ongoing professional development in shaping this preparedness. Employing a quantitative research approach, the investigation evaluates the preparedness levels…

Enrollment in traditional special education teacher preparation programs has declined while enrollment in alternative preparation programs has increased in Georgia (Georgia Insights, 2024). Since alternative preparation programs have become the viable recruitment vein for rural schools challenged to fill special education teaching vacancies,…

Society's perception, recruitment, and retention of alternative certified teachers entering the education system is a critical issue in Career and Technical Education (CTE) (Heilig, 2007). Although public education is an important factor in our society and the nation's future, fewer college and university students are majoring in education…

Student success and achievement can be measured in myriad ways; however, the impact of teacher effectiveness in each classroom is an essential part of the formula for student success. Although most teachers work in isolation in their classrooms, it is important for school leaders to support student success by supporting teachers. This study…

Retaining new teachers has long been an issue that has plagued K-12 education (Garcia & Weiss, 2019; Ingersoll, 2001; Kelchtermans, 2017). While there is significant literature on general K-12 teacher retention (Borman & Dowling, 2008; Chapman & Hutcheson, 1982; Hanushek et al., 2004; Whipp & Geronime, 2015), there has been little…

This qualitative case study involved addressing rates of general education elementary school teachers with 0 to 5 years of teaching experience who referred students with disabilities to the office for their behavior, which were twice as often as nondisabled students. Based on the conceptual framework of Weiner's Attribution Theory, teacher's lack…

New teachers are leaving the profession at steadily increasing rates at a substantial cost to Georgia taxpayers who support local school districts and the state department of education (Pelfrey, 2020). Recruitment, training, and hiring efforts are examples of these cost burdens. Teacher turnover causes educational losses for students and financial…

An abundant and longstanding body of scholarship has underscored the White femininity of the U.S. K-12 teaching workforce and the need to diversify its ranks. Black males, in particular, potentially struggle with the notion of becoming teachers given their often highly negative lived experiences with schools and schooling including low…