Synecdoche and Disillusionment: A Narrative Exploration of Former Teachers’ Experiences Before and After Leaving

This dissertation explores the complex experiences of former teachers, focusing on their journeys before and after leaving the profession. Through a narrative inquiry and storytelling approach, this study captures the personal, professional, and emotional factors that contribute to teacher attrition. Drawing on qualitative methods in the form of interviews, the research provides an in-depth look at how identity and need satisfaction influence teachers' decisions to leave. The study's focus on former elementary school teachers in Ohio and North Carolina adds context to the broader issue of teacher shortages in the U.S., illustrating the interplay between professional expectations of teachers and systemic challenges of education. The findings contribute to existing literature on teacher recruitment, retention, and attrition by offering new insights into post-teaching life and the emotional toll of the profession. The stories of the participants reveal the long-term effects of teaching on their identities, even after they have left the classroom. For educational leaders, these insights emphasize the need for more comprehensive support systems that address not only professional development, but also the personal well-being of educators. This work highlights the importance of considering the lived experiences of teachers to inform future strategies aimed at reducing teacher attrition.