Motivation for Teaching and Perceived Character Traits Across Classes

by Sam Moser
Education
Faculty advisor: Julie Finnern

This study was conducted to uncover possible differences in teacher motivation and perceived character traits in each class of education majors and minors at Buena Vista University. This question is important because it can help discover what factors of motivation and perceived characteristic traits make a teacher follow through with their initial plan to teach as a freshman through their senior year and the years following graduation. A 35-item, selected response survey was developed through a review of literature on teacher motivation and teacher retention. The survey was provided to 181 declared education majors and minors at Buena Vista University. For result analysis, the survey uses a Q-technique which allows for the selection of various survey variables to be singled out and analyzed. This provides an opportunity to discover the similarities and differences in motivation and perceived character traits across classes.