Research conducted over the last decade yields no simple solution to increasing job satisfaction among educators. Factors affecting job satisfaction include management styles, demographics, financial support, and class size, to name a few. Focused upon is the role of school administrators in developing and maintaining satisfied teachers. (seven…

Considers ways that factors in the college environment can negatively affect the performance and perceptions of self-efficacy of students and faculty. Discusses the problems and needs of a fictional science instructor suddenly confronting students unable to understand basic course concepts and of an older student anxious about returning to school.…

This study of the effects of work-related variables on 658 special educators, including 159 teachers of students with emotional disorders, found that workplace conditions, job satisfaction, and principal support had positive effects on intent to stay in teaching, whereas role-related problems had negative effects on intent to stay. (DB)

Interviews with secondary school teachers from the United States, England, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and Poland indicate that student responsiveness and enthusiasm contributed the most to teacher enthusiasm, while poorly motivated students contributed to a high level of discouragement. Responses were consistent across cultures, except for…

Observes that master music teachers' intensity and commitment make them good candidates for burnout. Reports on contributing factors mentioned by music teachers: lack of recognition and support, unclear goals, poor curricular coordination, and poor working conditions. Offers suggestions for combating burnout including exercise, networking with…

Describes a study examining research on classroom management and translating the findings into a skills-based program on effective classroom management. Reports that research-based concepts and principles are meaningful and of practical value to teachers. Recommends a conceptual- and skills-based approach to classroom management for development of…

Teachers working with students having emotional and/or behavioral disorders may have special problems maintaining their mental health and positive psychological outlook. This article offers 10 cognitions, or ways in which teachers can choose to think, which will likely result in more positive feelings and increased effectiveness with students. (DB)

Asserts that music teachers often have less than ideal teaching situations that may result in lowered teacher morale. Contends that music teachers must choose to improve morale by becoming more involved in school activities. Provides suggestions for improving one's individual morale and the perceptions of teaching colleagues toward music teachers.…

Discusses aspects of an ongoing study of Alberta secondary-school teachers of written composition who have been teaching for two to seven years. Examines these "formative-years" teachers' developing responses to the tensions of job insecurity in the 1990s, increasingly diverse student populations, and conflicts between their own…

Preservice teachers get their first teaching position hoping to take the first step toward becoming professional educators and expecting support from experienced colleagues and administrators, who often serve as their mentors. In this article, the authors present the story of Kristine (a pseudonym), who works at a middle school in a large U.S.…

The purpose of this book is to explore ways for campuses to maintain morale during the tough times facing higher education in the 1990s. Its message is based on two assumptions: (1) the very process of assessing morale can enhance morale; and (2) there are ways to enhance morale that do not require large infusions of new dollars. Chapters cover…

Principals play a unique role in school and student outcomes. This paper presents findings of a study that explored how principals' leadership behaviors influenced teachers' sense of efficacy. Specifically, the paper describes how principals in three middle schools influenced teachers' sense of efficacy and affected instructional and school…

This paper reports findings from the first 2 years of a longitudinal study of school effectiveness in Western Australia called the Western Australian School Effectiveness Study (WASES). Creemer's multilevel model of educational effectiveness was used to guide the selection of variables for analysis. Data on the school environment, the classroom…

This final report describes the activities and outcomes of a 3-year federally funded project that developed and evaluated interventions aimed at increasing retention of special education teachers. The interventions developed and evaluated consisted of: (1) a series of stress management workshops aimed at preventing or alleviating teacher burnout,…

The Public School Teachers Questionnaire from the 1987-88 Schools and Staffing Survey was analyzed to produce a descriptive portrait of vocational and nonvocational teachers of grades 9-12 in public schools. The sample consisted of 3,863 vocational and 14,315 nonvocational teachers. Almost 90 percent of each group classified themselves as white.…