Sustaining Perseverance and Commitment to Teach: Stories from Long-Serving Primary School Teachers

This study investigates factors that contribute to the perseverance, job satisfaction, and commitment of long-serving teachers in the teaching profession. It found that teachers who have endured numerous education changes in South Africa are more satisfied. Mentorship, socio-cultural and contextual factors like socioeconomic status, race, gender, education, and parental background, and different roles in schools, were also found to be the best predictors of perseverance, job satisfaction, and commitment. Teachers with education beyond initial teacher education diploma or degree, teaching licenses, full-time employment and many years of practice were found to be more satisfied and committed. The findings could help education leaders, school leaders, and teachers understand what keeps teachers going despite challenges in the teaching profession.