ERIC Number: ED634715
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 129
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3795-1676-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Leadership Behaviors Which Positively Influence Teacher Retention throughout an Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic
Simms, Natalie
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Creighton University
In March 2020, schools around the United States shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, teachers at all levels were forced to reimagine how to deliver their curriculum virtually, without contact with their students. Teachers experienced a dramatic increase in stress, burnout, and lack of professional boundaries; they subsequently began leaving the profession in droves. Previous research studies have cited relationships with administrators, autonomy, and adequate compensation as reasons why teachers have remained in their profession. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological research study was to discover leadership behaviors which positively influenced K-12 teachers who considered leaving the education profession to remain in their teaching roles, despite the challenges of teaching during an ongoing, COVID-19 pandemic. Thirteen teachers who teach in midwestern, independent schools were interviewed about their experiences with teaching during the pandemic and leadership behaviors which positively influenced them to remain in their teaching roles. The findings of this study reveal the importance of four key administrator behaviors: incorporating teacher perspectives into decisions and policies, acknowledging teacher work and effort, providing autonomy and freedom, and encouraging healthy boundaries. This study contributes to an existing body of research on teacher retention. The results contribute to the limited body of research on leadership behaviors which positively influence teachers to remain in the profession despite the new and unique challenges of teaching through a pandemic. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Kindergarten, Teacher Persistence, Leadership, Behavior, COVID-19, Pandemics, Teacher Attitudes, Decision Making, Educational Policy, Recognition (Achievement), Professional Autonomy
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Early Childhood Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A