Difficulties of Alternatively Certified Teachers

Abstract

This daily diary study followed, over a 2-week period, 252 beginning New York City public school teachers. Seventy percent were alternatively certified (New York City Teaching Fellows) and the rest, traditionally certified teachers. Alternatively certified teachers were more likely to experience stressors such as violent incidents and classroom management problems. No differences were found in exposure to stressors/difficulties such as problematic adults, student learning problems, and students experiencing emotional upset. Although differences in the rates of exposure to violent stressors could be explained by other factors (e.g., working in a low-performing school and years of experience), differences in the rates of occurrence of classroom management problems could not. Nevertheless, the high absolute rates of management problems and violence in both groups of teachers were striking and need to be addressed. The authors suggest measures to be taken to address the problem of retaining talented new teachers.