Name: New Teacher Retention: The Experiences Behind Career Decisions
Start: 2026-07-16T09:45:00-0600
End: 2026-07-16T12:10:00-0600

Welcome to URSA 2026 at Southern Utah University! All sessions will be in buildings on the upper campus (east end). Here’s the Campus Map (PDF) if needed.

New Teacher Retention: The Experiences Behind Career Decisions

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

AU - Auditorium Foyer

🖼️ Format Alert: This is a relaxed, 2-hour "drop-in" poster session where you can browse at your leisure and chat informally with presenters.

Why do some new teachers remain committed to the profession while others quietly begin planning their exit within the first few years?

After 17 years in secondary leadership roles working closely with new teachers, I have seen firsthand how early professional experiences shape teachers’ confidence, sense of belonging, and long-term career decisions. When new teachers leave, schools experience a cascade of consequences that impact students, staff, school culture, and organizational stability. These challenges are often intensified in small and rural school settings.

Current Utah research often identifies broad categories associated with teacher attrition and retention, but my research focuses on the lived experiences that shape how new teachers navigate the profession. Understanding how teachers make meaning of their early experiences can help schools strengthen mentoring, induction, and leadership practices in ways that genuinely support new educators.

This poster session will invite conversations about practical approaches to supporting new teachers across a variety of Utah school settings. Stop by to engage in discussion, share effective practices, and collaborate around ideas that help teachers feel supported, connected, and successful in their work.
In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn about my ongoing doctoral research regarding early-career teacher experiences and may volunteer for future interview participation.

Together, we can strengthen support systems that encourage new teachers to remain in and thrive in our schools.

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: iPad / iPhone; Any of these

Speakers

Pamela Pedersen

Doctoral Researcher, University of Utah, Education Leadership and Policy

I bring 27 years of experience in public education, beginning as a special education teacher and later serving as a grant writer and secondary administrator in the Salt Lake City School District.

For the past 17 years, I have led in a range of school settings, including small district charter schools, alternative high schools, and large comprehensive high schools. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities schools face across different... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Grade Level Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Instructional Coaching, Leadership

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Pamela Pedersen

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Pamela Pedersen

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