The purpose of this study was to explore factors that may be impacting teacher retention rates in our post-pandemic society through the lens of hope theory. This study explored the research question, how are the components of hope theory present in the narratives that classroom teachers share about maintaining a career in education in the face of adversity? Hope theory, first conceptualized by Charles Snyder, is a cycle comprised of goals, agency, pathways, and support. This study was qualitative using narrative inquiry as a methodology. Ten elementary classroom teachers who communicated a desire to remain in the teaching field for the foreseeable future participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher. Teachers were asked to share narratives, or stories, about their experiences in education during the pandemic era. Data was then transcribed and coded to determine themes. The components of hope theory were prevalent in teacher narratives of increased and diminished hope. In narratives of diminished hope, teachers shared challenges they faced during virtual, hybrid, and the return to in-person teaching. These challenges included the abrupt shift to using technology, negative public perceptions, diminished levels of parental support, and a lack of control over aspects of their job. In narratives of increased hope, participants shared the importance of teacher agency through setting boundaries, the need for a well-established grade level team for support, the aptitude to determine multiple pathways as they faced challenges, and the ability to communicate and work towards the clear, long-term goal of making a difference in the lives of students. Findings from this study are useful in the present, as impacts from the pandemic are still very apparent in education and in the future, as other adversities arise. [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.]