The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to understand how teachers who remained in the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic describe what it was about their self-perceived leadership qualities that influenced their decision to remain. Although literature regarding teacher retention exist, teacher description about their self-perceived leadership qualities that influenced their decision to remain were unexplored. This study contained the use of Koestenbaum's Diamond Leadership model to guide the research. One research question was utilized to explore teacher descriptions of what is was about their self-perceived leadership qualities that influenced their decision to remain. Purposive sampling was used to gather the descriptions from teachers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic who are still in the profession in the Midwest region of the United States. Answers to the research question were sought through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. An inductive approach was used to produce codes and patterns to identify themes to answer the research questions. The results indicated that teachers remained in the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic through thinking ethically, focusing on the reality of the situation, being courageous enough to remain, and having a vision for the future. [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.]