Teaching and Self-efficacy School Culture and Professional Commitment

Beginning is the foundation of any profession and a good beginning is crucial for success in one‘s professional life (Fottland 2004; Gentzler 2005; Knobloch & Wittington 2003). Mowday Porter and Steers (1982) note that ―the early employment period has a major influence on the development of employee commitment‖ (p. 47). This may be true with the teaching profession too (Fieman 2003). Knobloch and Wittington (2003) state that ―the initial years of teaching are recognized as being important to one‘s teaching effectiveness job satisfaction professional commitment and career longevity‖ (p. 1). Lifelong commitment to successful teaching may be achieved by successful experiences in early years of entry into the profession (Andrew & Quinn 2005; Olebe 2005); but the absence of support in some areas of the profession may make the desired success difficult to achieve (Andrew & Quinn 2005; Olebe 2005; Stein Ginns & McRobbie 2003).