ERIC Number: EJ1251783
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Apr
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2073-7629
EISSN: N/A
A Close Look at Teachers' Lives: Caring for the Well-Being of Elementary Teachers in the US
Kaynak, Naime Elcan
International Journal of Emotional Education, v12 n1 p19-34 Apr 2020
The purpose of this qualitative study is to shed light on elementary teachers' perspectives on their sense of well-being, with emphasis on contextual factors that promote or block their sense of well-being. Data were collected through background questionnaires, teachers' journal writings, and interviews with teachers. Findings reveal that teachers' sense of well-being was fostered mainly by student growth and supportive colleagues. The major themes that emerged as negatively affecting teachers' well-being were the influence of accountability testing, lack of power, sense of being scrutinized, student misbehavior, and heavy workload. The results of this study show the need for restructuring teaching contexts. When schools are places in which teachers feel valued, respected, empowered and involved in decision-making processes, they are likely to have a better sense of well-being.
Descriptors: Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Well Being, Teaching Conditions, Peer Relationship, Accountability, Power Structure, Student Behavior, Faculty Workload, Participative Decision Making, Teacher Empowerment, Self Efficacy, Collegiality, Student Development, Barriers, Teacher Evaluation
Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health. Old Humanities Building (OH) Room 241, University of Malta, MSD 2080, Malta. Tel: +356-2340-3014; Web site: http://www.um.edu.mt/ijee
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A