Authors :
Jean B. Trozo; Dr. Remigilda Gallardo
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/atc3x5pm
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/37kxftd6
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar876
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study sought to determine their experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights related to managing teacher
turnover in public schools. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the study involved ten school heads, five who
participated in in-depth interviews (IDI) and five in a focus group discussion (FGD). Participants were selected through
purposive sampling based on their administrative experience and involvement in managing teacher concerns. Data were
collected through an interview guide and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step thematic analysis. Ethical
considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation were strictly observed. Findings
revealed both positive and challenging experiences among school heads. Positive experiences included proactive awareness
in identifying early signs of attrition, strengthened teacher-school head relationships, and empowered decision-making
through data-driven observation. Challenges centered on difficulty detecting subtle disengagement, limited institutional
support, and emotional strain from losing dedicated teachers. Coping mechanisms included mentoring and reflection,
collaboration with fellow leaders, and emotional resilience. Insights emphasized that observation builds early awareness,
collaboration strengthens management, and resilience sustains emotional balance.
Keywords :
School Heads, Teacher Attrition.
References :
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- American University. (2023). Teacher Retention: Preventing Teacher Turnover. Retrieved from https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/teacher-retention/
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- Calfas, J. (2024, September 1). Teachers Are Burning Out on the Job. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/teachers-america-burn-out-b2cc2a51
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- Carver-Thomas, D., & Darling-Hammond, L. (2019). Teacher turnover: Why it matters and what we can do about it. Learning Policy Institute.
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- Education Resource Strategies. (2023). How Leaders Can Support Principals to Mitigate the Turnover Cycle. Retrieved from https://www.erstrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Retaining_Principals_to_Reduce_Teacher_Attrition.pdf
- Education Week. (2024, October). Four Ways to Stop Teacher Turnover From Hamstringing School Improvement. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/four-ways-to-stop-teacher-turnover-from-hamstringing-school-improvement/2024/10
- Garcia, M., & Lopez, R. (2024). Teacher Attrition: Differences in Stakeholder Perceptions of Workplace Conditions. Education Sciences, 9(4), 300. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/9/4/300
- Goldhaber, D., & Theobald, R. (2022). Teacher Attrition and Mobility in the Pandemic. Educational Researcher, 51(9), 665-669. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X221130806
- Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snyderman, B. B. (1959). The Motivation to Work. John Wiley & Sons.
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- Johnson, L. (2024). Teachers' Perceptions of Principal Leadership Practices That Influence Teacher Retention. Educational Leadership Review, 21(1), 45-60. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1369180
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- Mitsakis, M., & Galanakis, M. (2022). An Empirical Examination of Herzberg’s Theory in the 21st Century Workplace: Organizational Psychology Re-Examined. Psychology, 13(2), 264-272.
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- Nguyen, T., Pham, L., Crouch, M., & Springer, M. (2022). Teacher Attrition and Burnout in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Systematic Review. Journal of Education Policy, 37(5), 765-782. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/med_theses/20
- Ronfeldt, M., Loeb, S., & Wyckoff, J. (2021). How Teacher Turnover Harms Student Achievement. American Educational Research Journal, 50(1), 4-36. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/abs/2009.13091
- Teacher Task Force. (2023). Global report on teachers: Addressing teacher shortages. Retrieved from https://teachertaskforce.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/2023_TTF-UNESCO_Global-report-on-teachers-Addressing-teacher-shortages_EN.pdf
- Williams, T., & Green, K. (2024). Teacher Attrition and School Leaders' Capacity for Leading Practices and Behaviors: A Comparative Study. Journal of Educational Administration, 58(3), 257-272. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339424582_Teacher_Attrition_and_School_Leaders%27_Capacity_for_Leading_Practices_and_Behaviors_-_A_Comparative_Study
This study sought to determine their experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights related to managing teacher
turnover in public schools. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the study involved ten school heads, five who
participated in in-depth interviews (IDI) and five in a focus group discussion (FGD). Participants were selected through
purposive sampling based on their administrative experience and involvement in managing teacher concerns. Data were
collected through an interview guide and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step thematic analysis. Ethical
considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation were strictly observed. Findings
revealed both positive and challenging experiences among school heads. Positive experiences included proactive awareness
in identifying early signs of attrition, strengthened teacher-school head relationships, and empowered decision-making
through data-driven observation. Challenges centered on difficulty detecting subtle disengagement, limited institutional
support, and emotional strain from losing dedicated teachers. Coping mechanisms included mentoring and reflection,
collaboration with fellow leaders, and emotional resilience. Insights emphasized that observation builds early awareness,
collaboration strengthens management, and resilience sustains emotional balance.
Keywords :
School Heads, Teacher Attrition.