Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

First Advisor

Christopher Rappazini

Second Advisor

Dee Dee Washington

Third Advisor

David Forney

Abstract

This study investigated the impact servant leader administrators have on the recruitment of secondary public-school teachers in South Carolina. The purpose of this study was to identify effective servant leadership behaviors that align with teacher recruitment. This research sought to enhance the existing body of knowledge on servant leadership in education by offering a comprehensive understanding of how school leaders can recruit career changers as teachers by aligning their servant leadership behaviors with the motivations of prospective educators for transitioning into teaching.

This research assessed 16 secondary public-school teachers and 3 school district HR personnel employed within various school districts in South Carolina through an exploratory, qualitative methodology using servant leadership as the framework for the study. The results of the study revealed that administrators who demonstrate servant leadership qualities- such as listening, supporting teacher development, and fostering community-were more successful in attracting career changers to their school. Additionally, administrators who created a supportive environment, promoted an inclusive culture, and encouraged collaboration influenced career changers’ decisions to select certain schools over others. The results of the study addressed many of the challenges of attracting teachers in public schools and created a new approach for principals and administrators to recruit prospective teacher candidates. Further research is recommended to explore principal preparation programs, expanding the scope of the research to include all K-12 public school teachers, and pairing this research with retention efforts using servant leadership.

Download

Share

COinS