My research examines how educators are hired, retained and promoted, and the ways in which race and gender can differentially impact their career trajectories.
Sarah Guthery, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
- Faculty
Dr. Sarah Guthery majored in economics as an undergraduate at Colorado State University. She taught preschool during college and decided to become a teacher. After training at Middlesex University in London, she moved to Texas, where she taught for nearly 10 years before returning to school to become an educator trainer.
Her love of economics and quantitative research, her passion for teaching, and her desire to work with students all came together in graduate school. She chose A&M-Commerce for the opportunity to do all the things she loves each day.
She also has a passion for travel and hopes to offer an education course for students to study abroad and experience international education.
A Conversation with Dr. Guthery
What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?
A&M-Commerce is a wonderful place to become a teacher or further your career in education. Our students come from all over Texas, and we have a really unique online program where students can learn from anywhere in the world. Returning to school can add new energy and opportunities in your career you didn't even know existed.
What draws you to your discipline?
I was a classroom teacher, and I still love working with teachers. Education offers endless opportunities and growth, and I really enjoy working with people on their journey. My research examines how educators are hired, retained and promoted, and the ways in which race and gender can differentially impact their career trajectories.
What has been your favorite course to teach?
I developed a new course called teacher development and teacher retention. The course examines the life cycle of a teacher, the characteristics of each phase, and new ideas for investing in yourself, or investing in others. It was a lot of fun and I hope to teach it again soon.
Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.
I am currently working on a project that examines the timeline of assistant principals applying for promotion. I will be really interested to see the characteristics of assistant principals who apply for a principal job early and late in their careers.
Education
- Ph.D., Education Policy, Southern Methodist University, 2017
- PGCE, Education, Middlesex University London, 2003
- B.S., Economics, Colorado State University, 2001
Experience
- Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2017-present
- Adjunct Faculty, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2014-present
- Graduate Researcher, Texas Schools Project at UTD Education Research Center, 2015-2020
- Graduate Researcher, Southern Methodist University, 2012-2017
- Economic Analyst, Budd Center for Involving Communities in Education
- Adjunct Faculty, University of North Texas, 2013
- Gifted and Talented Teacher, Dallas ISD, 2007–2012
- 1st Grade Teacher, Dallas ISD, 2005-2007
- Kindergarten Teacher, White Rock North Private School, 2004-2005
Awards and Honors
- Nominee for Unfettered Thought Award, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2022
- Comparative Policy Analysis Paper Award, Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management, 2021
- Global Teaching Fellow Award, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2019
Research Interests
- Teacher and principal retention and promotion
- Teacher labor market
- Educational policy
Past and Present Professional Organizations
- American Education Research Association
- Education Policy SIG
- School Turnaround SIG
- Association for Education Finance and Policy
- Association for Public Policy and Management
- Association for the Study of Higher Education
- Southwest Educational Research Association
- Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness
Selected Publications
Related News
A&M-Commerce Faculty Member Co-Authors Article Detailing Frequency of Teacher Misbehavior
A&M-Commerce faculty member Dr. Sarah Guthery is co-author—along with Dr. Meredith P. Richards of Southern Methodist University—of an article detailing a new study investigating why Texas teachers are sanctioned for misbehavior. According to the article published at TheConversation.com, frequent news stories detailing various violations create the impression that teacher misbehavior is widespread. Guthery and Richards’ […]
TAMUC Faculty Member Links Teacher Retention to Principal Longevity
A recent research article co-authored by Sarah Guthery, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at A&M-Commerce, indicates that principal longevity may influence teacher retention. The research, published online in the Journal of Educational Administration, followed nearly 12,000 principals in Texas from 1999 through 2017. The results suggest that principals who […]
TAMUC Curriculum and Instruction Faculty Member Discusses Teacher Retention on Radio Program
A&M-Commerce Assistant Professor Sarah Guthery, Ph.D., is featured on a recent episode of the “All Sides with Ann Fisher” talk program on 89.7 FM NPR News in Ohio. The episode discusses frustration and burnout among American teachers. Host Ann Fisher interviewed Guthery regarding an article she co-authored, “How teachers enter the profession affects how long […]
TAMUC Faculty Member Co-Authors Article About Teacher Longevity
Sarah Guthery, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at A&M-Commerce, is co-author of a recent website article titled “How teachers enter the profession affects how long they stay on the job.” The article discusses how factors including a teacher’s path to certification and the type of school they begin their […]