Research studies have documented a strong link between perennial high rates of beginning teacher attrition and teacher shortages that impact teaching, especially in the major urban areas of the United States. It is widely concluded that one of the pivotal causes of inadequate school academic performance is a teacher shortage and the resulting…

A teacher describes her choice of teaching as a gift, a desire to attend college and make her life bigger than her hometown. She stays in the profession because she enjoys helping children believe in themselves as readers and writers. (MLH)

The new teacher attrition rate in the US schools continues to cause concern, and disconnect between the goals of new teachers and of those who shape public education is one important reason behind this problem. Suggestions are presented on how to let teachers connect meaningfully with their students thus giving these professionals the support they…

Divorce is viewed as a national tragedy, particularly for its impact on young children, who lacked any control over the situation yet were most susceptible to its emotional pain and uncertainty. Children lost the security of a home, predictable routines, and loving family members. Innocent lives were transformed forever, often for the worse.…

Discusses questions for educators evaluating their job commitment, including the following: (1) Are you naive about what to expect?; (2) Do you know what your personal beliefs are and how they affect your practice?; (3) Do you have a plan for continued learning?; and (4) Do you take time to celebrate who you are and what you have chosen to do? (EV)

A former student teacher looks back at her experiences as a student in a teacher education program and as a student teacher. She relates why she gave up teaching for a career in marketing. (JOW)

In today's challenging educational system, teachers experience burnout faster than a speeding bullet. Why do teachers leave schools? It is incumbent upon school administrators to implement effective programs to attract and keep quality teachers. The purpose of this article is to explore the reasons for teacher turnover. The authors explore key…

A conceptual model integrating major findings from research on employee and teacher turnover/retention behavior is presented for application to vocational education teachers. The model suggests that an individual traverses four stages before deciding to stay in or leave teaching: (1) selection, (2) integration, (3) evaluation, and (4) decision.…

Overloaded expectations of secondary agriculture teachers cause many to leave and others not to pursue teaching careers. Mentor programs for beginning teachers and clarification of job descriptions are two possible solutions. (SK)

To stay on the job, exhausted teachers need to get massages or do yoga, exercise regularly, get a pet or a plant to care for, recruit "wannabe" friends to teaching, surround themselves with appreciative friends, seek colleagues' assistance, and take real vacations to recharge batteries. (MLH)

This article discusses the three "Rs" of teacher education in the twenty-first century: recruit, retain, and re-train teachers. The author argues that, as with other "caring" professions, such as nursing and social work, the marketisation of the professions will impact to such an extent that all three "Rs" will be…

In this article, the author focuses on one of the riches of the country: its people. She interviewed five adult educators who have made significant contributions in Jamaica. The author's interest in this research began from the opportunities that she had to meet some of the participants through their programme's connections with JAMAL (the…

Merit pay proponents argue that merit pay will: (1) attract higher caliber individuals to teaching; (2) retain good teachers; and (3) motivate teachers to improve instruction. These claims are investigated. Recommendations regarding effective alternatives to merit pay are discussed. (MT)

Presents a letter offering help for an overwhelmed first-year middle school teacher hating teaching. Offers a response from her former college professor commiserating with her, advocating survival as a perfectly good goal, offering four suggestions, and remembering his own desire to quit early in his teaching career. Includes the beginning…

Responds to an article in the same issue of this journal which examines factors influencing longevity in the career of a particular high school theatre arts teacher. Notes responses of some jurors regarding methodological concerns and theoretical grounding, but appreciates the writer's personal affinity with her subject and welcomes the…