Factors that influence beginning teacher retention during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from one Canadian province

Concern over early career teacher attrition has increased since the onset of COVID-19, but little is known about how the pandemic affected the personal and professional factors that play a role in successful teacher retention in Alberta, Canada. Starting in May 2021, a combination of survey design and focus groups were used to examine beginning teachers’ well-being, resiliency, and perceptions on early career teaching and pandemic considerations. Compared to the previous year of data collection administration in 2019-2020, participants reported significantly less positive responses related to professional factors, but in terms of personal factors, participants remained efficacious and resilient. Responses also indicated that beginning teachers were mainly dissatisfied with COVID-19 pandemic circumstances, but not the teaching profession. Therefore, despite facing numerous challenges over the past two years, beginning teachers’ passion and commitment to their chosen career appears to remain strong.