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Job Satisfaction and Retention of Middle School Teachers

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Job Satisfaction and Retention of Middle School Teachers Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Job Satisfaction and Retention of Middle School Teachers Rebecca Jane Gault Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Educational Administration and Supervision Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Education This is to certify that the doctoral study by Rebecca Gault has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Jerry Collins, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Andrew Alexson, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Ionut-Dorin Stanciu, University Reviewer, Education Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Job Satisfaction and Retention of Middle School Teachers by Rebecca Gault MA, Towson University, 1991 MS, Towson University, 1997 BS, Towson University, 1990 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2020 Abstract The problem investigated in this study was the high turnover rates of experienced, quality, and highly effective middle school teachers, which has a negative effect on student learning and achievement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover what specific support and professional development middle school teachers need to remain teaching. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation. The research questions explored what experienced middle school teachers need in terms of support and professional development in order to improve their job satisfaction and increase their retention. Nine teachers, one from each middle school in the district, were interviewed by phone or through a face-to-face format. After first-round initial coding and second-round pattern coding, it was determined that teachers need (a) to be valued by their administrators, (b) supported by their colleagues, (c) professional development with meaningful content, (d) professional development that honors their experience, and (e) professional development that is collaborative. This study promotes positive social change by offering specific ways to support and provide useful professional development to middle school teachers, which in turn will increase job satisfaction and foster their retention. Such retention will increase student achievement, improve the overall school environment, and create stability in the surrounding community. Job Satisfaction and Retention of Middle School Teachers by Rebecca Gault MA, Towson University, 1991 MS, Towson University, 1997 BS, Towson University, 1990 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2020 Dedication I dedicate this research to my children, Sarah, Anna, and Joshua Rozmiarek. They were so patient and encouraging as I went through the process to complete my study. It is my further hope that their children may have quality, highly effective, experienced teachers. Acknowledgments I am deeply grateful for the support of my chair, Dr. Jerry Collins, and my second chair, Dr. Andrew Alexson as I engaged in this process. It is only with their wisdom, feedback, and encouragement that I was able to complete my study. I also acknowledge the support of my husband, James G. Gault, Esquire, for being a constant source of comfort and companionship throughout this process. Table of Contents Section 1: The Problem ........................................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Rationale ........................................................................................................................4 Definition of Terms........................................................................................................6 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................8 Research Questions ........................................................................................................9 Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................10 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................10 Implications..................................................................................................................32 Summary ......................................................................................................................32 Section 2: The Methodology ..............................................................................................34 Research Design and Approach ...................................................................................34 The Participants ...........................................................................................................36 Participant Access and Protection ................................................................................37 Data Collection ............................................................................................................38 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................46 Data Analysis Results ..................................................................................................51 Connection to the Problem, Research Questions, and Conceptual Framework ..........66 Section 3: The Project ........................................................................................................71 Introduction ..................................................................................................................71 Rationale ......................................................................................................................72 Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................72 i Project Description.......................................................................................................84 Project Evaluation Plan ................................................................................................93 Project Implications .....................................................................................................96 Section 4: Reflections and Conclusions .............................................................................99 Project Strengths and Limitations ................................................................................99 Recommendations for Alternative Approaches .........................................................101 Scholarship, Project Development and Evaluation, and Leadership and Change ...........................................................................................................104 Reflection on Importance of the Work ......................................................................109 Implications, Applications, and Directions for Future Research ...............................110 Conclusion .................................................................................................................111 References ........................................................................................................................112 Appendix A: The Project .................................................................................................132 Appendix B: Interview Questions ....................................................................................178 Appendix C: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................180 Appendix D: Probing Questions and Statements .............................................................181 Appendix E: Follow-Up Questions:.................................................................................182 Appendix F: Participant Validation Form........................................................................183 Appendix G: Email to Principals of Teacher Study Participants .....................................184 Appendix H: Email Invitation for Participants ................................................................186 ii List of Tables Table 1: CSD Teacher Years of Experience and Attrition Profile in 2018–2019 .............. 3 Table 2: CSD Teacher Attrition and Evaluation Profile in 2018–2019 .............................. 4 Table 3: Demographics of Teacher Participants ............................................................... 53 Table 4: Teacher Participants and Initial Codes for RQ1 and RQ2 .................................. 54 Table 5: Theme 1: Teachers need to be valued by their administrators ........................... 56 Table 6: Theme 2: Teachers need the support of their
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