Teacher Retention Challenges: What we learned before and after COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already elevated stress levels among teachers, leading to contemplation of leaving the profession. As educators were compelled to transition to online teacher, they suddenly found themselves immersed in the households of their students, an entirely novel experience. This newfound proximity granted teachers insight into various aspects of the students’ lives, including family dynamics, home environments, levels of household stress, and the accessibility of essential resources. In addition to the teaching duties, educators were tasked with the development of online curricula, the acquisition of online learning resources, and providing support to parents and families during a particularly stressful period. The critical question arises: did these unique experiences influence teachers’ decisions to remain in the profession? The research findings suggest a number of teachers considering leaving the profession.