Date of Conferral
7-22-2025
Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
School
Education
Advisor
Donald Wattam
Abstract
Teacher turnover adversely affects students’ academic performance and the educational community. The problem that was addressed through study is the approximately 18% teacher turnover at a local Title I school district in southeast Texas. This purpose of this study was to explore why teachers within a local souteast Texas Title I school district left their positions. The conceptual framework was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The study was guided by a research question centered on recurring reasons for teachers considering retiring, leaving the profession, or changing locations. A basic qualitative study employing semistructured interviews with 14 former teachers who had left the study district in the last 3 years was used to gather data which were then thematically analyzed. The interviews were conducted virtually and audio recorded. Through thematic coding, six key themes emerged: dissatisfaction with administration, changes in policies that were viewed as unfavorable to students, low income for teachers, toxic working environment, adverse mental and physical health influences, and personal issues. The findings have important implications for positive social change as it allows school leaders to create a more supportive and stable teaching environment that benefits teacher and students.
Recommended Citation
Renfroe, Vicki, "Reasons For Former Teachers to Change Employment or to Depart the Profession" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18107.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18107
