THE MOTIVATIONS TO ENTER TEACHING BY AGE RELATED CAREER STAGE AND CERTIFICATION PATH

Abstract

In this research I compare the motivations to enter the teaching occupation among 49 novice teachers who participated in traditional and alternative preparation programs to explore the influence of age and career stage on the decision making process. Early career entrants in both groups were more likely to cite the subject specialty as a reason to enter the occupation but only mid-career traditionally certified teachers included social concerns as a motivator. Overall, twice as many alternatively certified teachers cited the opportunity for a stable career as a motivator than did traditionally certified teachers.