Exploring the perceived impact of community living and spirituality on the experiences and attitudes of first year teachers

One of the key challenges facing primary and secondary education in the United States is the recruitment, development, and retention of effective teachers. High rates of teacher turnover and perceived ineffectiveness have led to increased scrutiny of teacher education and formation programs. The Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) represents an alternative to traditional teacher formation programs. This study investigates the unique aspects of the ACE model -- the inclusion of community living and spirituality -- and their perceived impact on the experience and attitudes of first year teachers. Phenomenological interviews with 10 ACE program participants suggests that community living may provide a reliable source of emotional support and professional guidance to beginning teachers, while the inclusion of spirituality as a program model may encourage and foster self-reflection and help to preserve one's original commitment to the profession.