School Traits: A Report On Rural Schools New And Aspiring Teachers Choose First

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to survey new and aspiring teachers from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and ask them to identify a set of school traits that they believe are most important when they first seek employment in new schools as teachers upon graduating from college. The participants were forty-three new and aspiring teachers participating in the Northern State University Teacher Induction Program who are ready to begin their teaching careers in elementary and secondary education. The new teachers were asked to identify a specific set of environmental, professional, school location, and career longevity factors that they consider important when choosing a new school. The NSU Teacher Induction Program is a follow-up support and data collection program for new teachers who are entering education after they graduate from Northern State University and starting their first year of teaching. The data collected documents trends and issues and is reported to Northern State University School of Education.