This study aimed to determine whether a correlation exists, either positive or negative, between the concentration of Exemplary followers in a K-12 school with perceived school morale levels and teacher retention. Past research determined the connection between morale and retention. Robert Kelley's research on follower types highlights the positive impact that Exemplary followers can have on an organization and the fluid nature of follower type, dependent on the leader and the situation. The correlation of these interconnected factors was previously unknown. Quantitative data was obtained through an online survey instrument. The survey combined Robert Kelley's Followership Questionnaire with five researcher-developed morale questions. 299 (N=299) K-12 teachers from a rural school district in South Carolina participated. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to analyze the data and determine the relationship between variables. The homogenous sample produced inconclusive results, and the null hypotheses could not be rejected for both research questions. Further examination into the demographics of the sample and the correlational relationship between the variables showed that Exemplary followers have high morale despite facing similar struggles to other follower types and remain in the profession long-term. A positive correlation is present between Critical Thinking scores and Active Engagement scores with school morale levels. A negative correlation exists between the percentage of Exemplary followers and school morale. Administrative strategies emerged from the research and may be beneficial to school and district-level leadership as they seek to hire Exemplary followers, strengthen existing followers, and equip both the leaders and followers in their schools with research-based findings of the importance of followers in their organizations. [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.]