| This study examined the motivations pre-service teachers possess as they progress though a teacher education program. Using Watt and Richardson's (2007) Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FIT-Choice) model as the theoretical underpinnings, the following research questions set the foundation for this study: 1) Do pre-service teachers' motivation to pursue a teaching career change over the course of a teacher education program, and 2) Is there a relationship between pre-service teachers' values and their satisfaction with their choice to pursue a teaching career? Quantitative results indicate significant drops in motivation from students' Freshman/Sophomore year to students' Graduate year. Qualitative results demonstrated a greater frequency of responses for social utility values, intrinsic motivation, positive prior teaching and learning experiences, career development aspirations, and epistemic values.. |
