Abstract
Understanding secondary teacher motivations has the potential to play a crucial role in the successful recruitment and retention of quality secondary teachers. This Dissertation in Practice focuses on the identification of secondary teacher motivations and the application of this information to assist in creating a safe environment which is conducive to student learning. In addition, this Dissertation in Practice was designed to provide practical interventions for administrators seeking to recruit and retain secondary teachers who have affinities for particular subjects. Through the use of this micro-ethnographic qualitative design, the researcher completed semi-structured interviews, collected and analyzed data, and developed a plan to assist district leaders and administrators in keeping secondary teacher motivations as high as possible. The study yielded a proposed timeline and a preparation guideline for professional development opportunities for both new and veteran teachers.