This quantitative, correlational study with a predictive design examined the extent the level of teachers' emotional intelligence was a predictor of retention indicated by 3 or more consecutive years in the same school district. The study sought to determine if teachers with three or more years of teaching experience contributed emotional intelligence to retention. The study was conducted in a school district located in the Southeastern region of the United States. The sample consisted of 125 teachers of Grades 3-8 that teach in public schools affected by Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Teachers' emotional intelligence was evaluated with the Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ECI 2.0), while the teacher's turnover intentions was examined with the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire (MOAQ). Multiple regression analysis was used to test the potential relationships between emotional intelligence and turnover intention while controlling for the demographic variables in the study. The enter multiple regression analysis yielded an R[superscript 2] of 0.3, using a model which was statistically significant p = 0.008. This statistical data suggest that though EI, age, educational attainment and years at current organization are not, in total, a robust model to predict attrition (only 30% of the variance is accounted for), the statistical significance of the model allowed for rejection of the null hypothesis: (Ho): that no relationship exists between these variables. The results suggested that 12 subscales of ECI 2.0 and 1 scale of MOAQ exist between teachers' emotional competence and attrition intention, but a positive correlation was indicated between ECI 2.0 and teachers will high educational attainment and influence. [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/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]