| Approximately 50% of teachers leave the profession within five years. A disproportionate number of those who leave are secondary mathematics teachers. Teacher retirements, policy changes, teacher turnover, and teacher requirements contribute to the mass departure from the teaching profession. This phenomenological qualitative study examined in-depth nine veteran secondary mathematics teachers who were employed by the same school district in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of the social contexts and environmental work factors that affected the retention of this important group so that school districts can more effectively retain their highly qualified, veteran secondary mathematics teachers.;Six salient themes emerged from the interview data. The veteran mathematics teachers: (1) reported a strong commitment to mathematics, learning, and the teaching profession, (2) described positive experiences with informal mentors and advisors and the absence of robust, formal induction and mentoring programs; (3) developed strong socioprofessional relationships with students and colleagues including opportunities for collaboration in high functioning, informally developed communities of practice; (5) had teacher leadership opportunities while remaining classroom teachers; and (6) developed systematic and highly structured approaches to their job. The participants consistently reported that their love of mathematics, and the robust, socio-professional and collaborative relationships that sustained them, contributed to their learning, and contributed to their retention.;A two-series interview technique was developed and data was gathered over a four month period, December 2008 to March 2009. The interview series consisted of three sections: (1) participants' reconstructions of their experiences prior to entering the teaching profession; (2) participants' reconstructions of their experiences during their years of practice; and (3) participants' reflections on their experiences and their professional projections into the future. The study was conceptually framed and analyzed through a socio-cultural lens. |
