Teaching Mathematics: Factors Affecting Recruitment, Retention, and Dropout

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/1981-1322.2025.e103647

Keywords:

Teacher attrition, Teacher retention, Mathematics teachers

Abstract

Given the imminent teacher shortage in Brazilian education, the attrition of Mathematics teachers has emerged as a critical challenge. Considering this, our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review on the factors that influence the recruitment, attrition, and retention of Mathematics teachers. To achieve this, we analyzed 21 articles selected from the Scopus database. The corpus analysis was conducted using Nvivo 1.5.1 software and grounded in Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis to identify and interpret the underlying meanings in the research findings. As a result, we identified 22 specific themes, which were grouped into five broader categories: support and work environment, professional development and fulfillment, commitment to inclusion and social impact, career satisfaction, and economic factors and working conditions. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the key aspects influencing the career paths of Mathematics teachers, contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges and motivations within the teaching profession.

Author Biographies

Larissa Carniel, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Licenciada em Ciências Exatas, na ênfase de Física, pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG, 2019), Especialista em Educação Básica e Profissional pelo Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS, 2023), Mestre em Ensino de Ciências Exatas também pela FURG (2023) e Doutoranda em Ensino de Física pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).

Daniel da Silva Silveira, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande

Licenciado em Matemática pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG, 2008), Mestre em Educação em Ciências pela FURG (2012) e Doutor em Educação em Ciências pela FURG (2017). Atualmente é professor Adjunto do Instituto de Matemática, Estatística e Física da FURG na área de Educação Matemática e Cálculo Diferencial e Integral.

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Published

2025-09-09

Issue

Vol. 20 (2025)

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Larissa Carniel, Daniel da Silva Silveira

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