Welcoming and retaining expatriate teachers in an international school

2018-08-15As the number of international schools is increasing rapidly, data and reports suggest the impact and importance of expatriate teachers’ retention. This study uses a gap analysis framework (Clark & Estes, 2008) to better understand how knowledge, motivational, and organizational factors of administrators impact expatriate teachers’ turnover. Assumed influences on administrators’ performance were generated based on preliminary data, knowledge, motivation and organizational theory, and an extensive literature review. Quantitative and qualitative data collection was based on a survey and interviews of administrators. The study suggests that a lack of knowledge, motivation, and organizational supports, among and other factors, influence expatriate teachers’ unstable turnover and low retention rate. This has a substantial impact on student and school outcomes. Proposed solutions and a related implementation plan for how to shift the current situation are provided based on the international school’s development and local environment