High School Teachers' Experiences with Employment Mobility

Abstract

This record of study was a sequential quan-QUAL mixed methods study that followed a case-selection explanatory sequential mixed methods research design to understand the employment mobility experiences of teachers on a small, rural high school campus. A descriptive survey instrument was used to gain background knowledge on high school teachers’ experiences and as a means through which to determine participants for the qualitative phase of the study. In the qualitative phase of the study, I conducted semi-structured interviews with three teachers who elaborated on the factors that impacted their decisions to leave prior employment positions, factors that impacted their decisions to accept their current teaching role, and the strengths and limitations of their current employment situation. Common responses to factors impacting high school teachers’ employment decisions included: geographic location, the support of campus administration, salary, family, student discipline, burnout/stress, and personal connections with current employees. Based on the data analysis, I created a employment brochure for the high school that campus administrators will use during recruiting events.