Research article | Open Access
International Journal of Language and Education Research 2026, Vol. 8(2) 121-148
Nurturing the Dream Weavers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Teacher Retention
pp. 121 - 148 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23651406
Publish Date: August 30, 2026 | Single/Total View: 0/0 | Single/Total Download: 0/0
Abstract
This study assessed teachers' perceptions of the school subsystems at Bambang National High School. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were gathered from 106 permanent teachers using a validated survey questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected from 20 purposively chosen participants through structured written interviews. The mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the quantitative part, while Hermeneutic Phenomenology, complemented by the Looking Glass Self Theory, guided the analysis of the qualitative data. Participants rated the social subsystem highest, while the economic subsystem received the lowest rating. A healthy working environment, support from school leaders, personal fulfillment and passion, compensation and benefits, proximity and convenience, encourage teacher retention, while student behavior and discipline, unfair practices and policies, and excessive/redundant workload pose significant challenges. Participants expressed needs for fair workload distribution and organization, work-life balance, peer mentoring and teamwork, professional development and growth opportunities, and, incentives and recognition for teachers. To enhance retention, participants’ suggestions focused on workplace environment and relationships, workload distribution, fairness in student evaluation and discipline, professional development and scholarships, financial burdens and school contributions, while their insights emphasized peer support and collaboration communication and support, workplace atmosphere and motivation, positive attitude, stress management, and personal balance. Although the quantitative and qualitative results differ, they complement each other by showing that social and cultural factors are critical components for retaining teachers, while financial concerns contribute to teachers’ decisions to leave. To strengthen teacher retention, the school may reinforce the positive aspects of its subsystems while addressing identified challenges through localized strategies, full implementation of Department of Education policies, and strategic partnerships with relevant agencies. Future research should explore teacher attrition, especially among those working abroad, and examine the influence of school subsystems on mobility.
Keywords: cultural subsystem, economic subsystem, social subsystem, teacher retention
APA 7th edition
Adais, J., & Apostol, E. (2026). Nurturing the Dream Weavers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Teacher Retention. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 8(2), 121-148. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23651406
Harvard
Adais, J. and Apostol, E. (2026). Nurturing the Dream Weavers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Teacher Retention. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 8(2), pp. 121-148.
Chicago 16th edition
Adais, Joan and Elma Apostol (2026). " Nurturing the Dream Weavers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Teacher Retention". International Journal of Language and Education Research 8 (2):121-148. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23651406
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