Alicia Ritter

Citation

Thesis Title
Why do they stay? An Analysis of Factors Influencing Retention of International Teachers

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Ms Ritter examined factors affecting international teachers' decisions to stay or leave their international school. She interviewed 100 international teachers in ten international schools across four countries. The results of her analysis suggested that the most important reason for staying in an international school was for personal reasons, including partners or family, age, quality of life, right 'fit', and level of happiness. She found the second most important reason for staying was for professional reasons, including the school's philosophy, vision, administration, and professional opportunities within the school. Thirdly, she found teachers remained at their international school for the salary and benefits offered. Her research provides a personal insight into the experiences of international teachers, the challenges they faced in working and adapting to new cultures and in different cultures and school settings around the world, and how these experiences impacted retention in international schools.

Supervisors
Professor Thomas Nicholson
Professor Michael Townsend