| A qualitative study was conducted to examine how educators describe the process of choosing to teach as a career. Nine teachers were interviewed to gather data, and all participants were given the option to validate or refute the findings. Using the Charmaz (2006) model of grounded theory to analyze the data, it was discovered that teachers came from diverse backgrounds, and the process of choosing to teach is affected by significant people in the lives of potential teachers, as well as sources of enjoyment among potential teachers. The process spanned years prior to career initiation sometimes beginning during childhood, other times being identified as starting at college age. Recommendations for future research were presented, as well as applications of the present findings in terms of teacher recruitment and development. |
