Teach & Thrive

<p>A volume in Issues in the Research Theory Policy and Practice of Urban Education</p><p>Teacher burn out contributes to the epidemic of early career exit. At least half of all new K?12 teachers leave the<br />profession by the time they reach their fifth year of teaching. Conversely there are urban teachers who survive<br />burn out and thrive as career? long educators. This book results from an in?depth qualitative study that explored<br />one 40?year veteran teacher’s career narrative analyzing how she not only survived the burn out epidemic but<br />also thrived as a highly effective career?long urban teacher.<br />Part 1 of this book uses a critical socio?political lens is used to guide readers through the complexities of career thrival. Framed within the story of<br />one new urban teacher’s typical morning the book begins with an overview of the socio?political forces that lead to urban teacher burn out. In spite<br />of the obstacles the more hopeful idea of urban teacher thrival is uncovered through narrative methodology. Part 2 is dedicated to the dynamic<br />narrative of a veteran urban teacher career journey. This inspiring story is related to frameworks established in Part 1 as well as painting a picture<br />of how public education has evolved over the last 40 years and it’s impact on the lives of teachers.<br />Part 3 takes a deeper dive into three salient themes that permeated throughout the participant’s story. First hope springs eternal is the idea that<br />sustaining hope supported the teacher’s career thrival. Next the extended education family is the notion that familial?like relationships at school<br />nourished her longevity. The third theme creative autonomy reveals that by being empowered with opportunities for curriculum development and<br />instructional decision?making the teacher maintained her passion. This book concludes with recommendations for teachers educational leaders and<br />teacher educators to develop and maintain thriving teachers.</p>