Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Department
Educational Leadership
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Binbin DeVillar
Second Advisor
Dr. Tak Cheung Chan
Third Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey K. Robinson
Abstract
This exploratory case study aimed to understand the specific strategies that rural school leaders employ to address the challenges associated with recruiting and retaining teachers in rural schools. It sought to understand the effectiveness of these strategies within the unique economic and cultural landscape of South West County and to identify practices that could inform broader educational policy and practice in this and similar rural settings. A qualitative case study approach utilizing semi-structured interview questions was conducted to discover what teacher recruitment and retention strategies school leaders implement and how teachers perceive these strategies. Findings indicate both formal and informal recruitment strategies are most used by South West County and informal retention strategies by the principal are perceived to be important to teachers. It is significant for readers to understand that the school district under investigation, while it largely fits the definition of economically disadvantaged, it has relatively few students of color throughout the district. Also, this study explored a rural school district in one of the four states identified as having the largest rural school enrollments in the nation. Finally, the school district under investigation has not consolidated its small rural schools and therefore reflects that place-based teacher recruitment and retention is a key attraction for each of its rural schools.