Who is more likely to thrive and who is more likely to have thoughts about quitting teaching?: A Study of Early Childhood Teachers in the United States

A survey-based study of 117 early childhood teachers in the United States revealed factors predicting teacher thriving and thoughts about quitting teaching amidst stress. Two groups were more likely to thrive: (1) minority teachers, and (2) teachers with higher job satisfaction. Three groups were more likely to have thoughts about quitting: (1) those teaching children from predominantly low-income backgrounds, (2) those dissatisfied with their salaries, and (3) those experiencing high stress. Age and years of teaching showed an interaction effect on thoughts about quitting, suggesting that younger teachers with fewer years of teaching were more likely to have thoughts about quitting. • Minority teachers were more likely to thrive in teaching. • Teachers with higher job satisfaction were more likely to thrive in teaching. • Teachers of children from low SES were more likely to have thoughts about quitting. • Salary-dissatisfied teachers were more likely to have thoughts about quitting. • Highly stressed teachers were more likely to have thoughts about quitting.