Teacher Motivation Nuances: A Latent Profile Analysis of Personal Utility Value, Civic Mindedness, and Future Professional Development

Abstract

AbstractThis study examined motivators of preservice teachers (PSTs) for pursuing a teaching career. We used latent profile analysis to identify four profiles of PSTs based on their scores on personal utility value, civic mindedness, and intentions for future professional engagement. Using logistic regression, we identified motivational differences among PST content areas and latent profiles. We found that early childhood education students had higher motivation scores than students from other certification areas across different profiles. We discussed recommendations related to these findings for teacher education programs, especially for identity development and nurturing the civic motivations of PSTs who aspire to use their teaching to improve their communities. AcknowledgmentThank you to Cheryl B. Torsney, PhD, for her editorial assistance.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1 Refers to the experience of Tim Patterson.