Date of Award
6-12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
First Advisor
Timberly Baker
Second Advisor
Randy Caffey
Committee Members
Cloise Williams
Call Number
ISBN 9798280759565
Abstract
This study explores the perceptions of teacher recruitment and retention programs in rural Georgia, emphasizing the role of financial incentives. Rural school districts face persistent challenges in maintaining a stable educator workforce, largely due to low retention rates. Using Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, this study examines how salary as a function of job satisfaction influences teachers' decisions to enter and remain in the profession. Through a qualitative case study, interviews with 24 rural Georgia educators, document analysis, and member checking were conducted to assess perceptions of recruitment and retention. The findings highlight the critical impact of salary, with competitive pay being a major factor in attracting educators. While financial incentives play a key role in recruitment, long-term retention is more closely tied to workplace culture. Teachers expressed that while salary drew them to positions, a lack of support and increasing job-related stress often led them to leave. District leaders emphasized the importance of financial incentives such as bonuses and retirement matching in both attracting and retaining educators. However, the study also reinforces previous findings that rural Georgia districts face distinct obstacles, including geographic isolation and lower salaries compared to urban areas. These factors make it difficult to sustain a strong teacher workforce. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that combines competitive salaries with positive workplace improvements. This study suggests that financial incentives, when paired with strong support systems, are vital for stabilizing rural education. Understanding how salary, job satisfaction, and workplace conditions influence teacher retention is key to mitigating ongoing teacher shortages in rural Georgia.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Hill, Ronald, "Perceptions Of Teacher Recruitment and Retention Programs That Focus on Financial Incentives in Rural Georgia School Systems" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1068.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1068
