What Drives and Sustains Teachers?

Research suggests many factors that contribute positively to teacher job satisfaction, including student-teacher relationships, Intellectual fulfillment, and contribution to society. Research also highlights negative factors, including low salaries and the undervaluing of teaching in society.  Through qualitative interviewing of 16 teachers, we made sense of known job satisfaction factors for elementary teachers in Northern California. Specifically,  "what drives and what keeps teachers motivated to sustain teaching as their current career?" Several themes emerged. First, teachers begin teaching due to the impactful relationships they hope to have and their own personal growth. Second, the many types of relationships (with students, colleagues,  administration) matter to teachers. Last, teachers described how they receive support, validation, autonomy, and purpose from their relationships. In summary, relationships fuel the drive and provide the support and validation to  stay.