The Relationship Between Teacher Leaders and Teacher Attrition

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between teacher leaders and teacher attrition and its impact on students attending public schools in the United States. Teacher leadership has been recognized as being an integral part in operating schools efficiently and effectively with outcomes of success. School administrators have realized the value that teacher leaders bring into the schools. Teacher leaders can influence the schools’ climates which in turn influences the learning environments in the classrooms. Teachers are collaborative and supportive for one another and especially for beginning teachers when there are teacher leaders on the faculty. In the United States during the last decade, teacher attrition isn’t decreasing but appears to become an even more serious problem in the coming years. Approximately 40 percent of beginning teachers will leave the classroom within their first five years of teaching. Teacher attrition is even a higher percentage within schools that serve minority and low-income students. This study identifies some of major contributing factors being attributed to the high rates of teacher attrition rate. In addition, this discusses what are some of the possible approaches in reducing this high rate of teachers exiting the profession.