IDEPEL 2015 Lash NOVICE TEACHERS’ RETENTION AND MORALE

CHANGE IN NOVICE TEACHERS’ RETENTION AND MORALE: EFFECTS OF ACTIVE PRINCIPAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE INDUCTION PROCESS Presenter: Kate Lash, English Teacher, Central Bucks School District, [email protected] Presentation Description: Many studies have shown that a major cause of teacher attrition is a result of low morale and the lack of adequate support, specifically from the principal (Cherian & Daniel, 2008; Ingersoll et al., 2012; Smeaton & Waters, 2013; Watkins, 2005). This is especially true for new teachers. There are a variety of factors that could impact teacher morale; Kinsey (2006) attributes the following factors to the decline in teacher morale: “(a) inadequate mentoring, (b) increasing responsibility, (c) low salaries, and (d) unrelenting change in the teaching profession” (p. 149). The aim of this dissertation study is to better understand, through the participating high school teachers’ perspectives, the actions of principals in the induction process that help to retain novice teachers, as well as increase their satisfaction and morale. The goal is to add to current literature on how teachers perceive the connection of the different components of the induction process on their experiences in the field. Questions for Participants: 1. Was the purpose and importance of the study clearly evident? 2. Do you know of any schools where the principal takes an active role throughout the induction process? 3. Do you think interviews would be sufficient to capture teachers’ experiences in the induction process?