The decision-making process of first year teachers

Abstract

Attrition rates among beginning teachers have long been a cause for concern. As a profession, teaching is one that is extremely difficult to enter into and find your footing. For most novice teachers the first year of teaching is typically the most difficult due to the challenges faced both in the classroom and personally. During the day a myriad of decisions fall on the shoulders of a teacher and long after students have gone most teachers are continuing to make decisions about the classroom. This project examines the major areas where decisions are being made, charts the decision-making process first year teachers employ, and presents an electronic guidebook that can be used by individuals transitioning from a pre-service program into their first year of teaching.