The Foundation of Enhancing Career Mindsets: Analyzing the Alternative Certification Program Approach to Invest in Long Term Teacher Retention In K-12 Education

Abstract

This capstone investigates the impact of the growth mindset theory within teacher attitudes and emotions acquired in the development stages of teaching as a profession. This project illustrated the barriers teachers face when presented with a multitude of challenges within initial preparation, lack of transparency and uncontrollable factors within educational policy. Through a mixed methods approach, this research aimed to explore the key components needed in all Alternative Certification Programs to encourage the development of longstanding, career teachers, ultimately leading to narrowing the student achievement gap.