While research reports that teacher turnover is still pervasive in schools and school districts across the United States, research is still needed regarding the ever-growing incidence of continuous teacher turnover. The problem addressed in this study is the rising level of teacher turnover in first through eighth grade during the first five years of a teacher's career and its impact on students. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceptions, attitudes, experiences, and beliefs, of teachers teaching first through eighth grade who remain in or leave their schools during the first five years. The frameworks for the study were job satisfaction and motivation theory. A qualitative methodology and a case study design were used in the study. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to recruit six participants from two regions of the United States. Semi-structured teacher guided interview protocols were used to conduct interviews with six teachers in three schools in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions of the United States. Findings from this study revealed that teachers were lacking effective administrator leadership, parent involvement, classroom instructional materials, and professional development. The findings also revealed that teachers desired efficacious and ongoing appreciation. Additionally, the findings indicated that teachers who left their schools, left due to their frustration and anguish over an absence of leadership, lack of coping skills, and stress. Those teachers who remained stayed because of their joy of teaching, and a desire to make a difference in a child's life. Potential implications from this study are that teacher turnover will continue unless and until we consider both the needs of students and teachers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]