The problem addressed through this study was that public elementary school teachers in the United States have reported increasing levels of workplace stress. Teachers' stress levels need to be studied and addressed because they affect students as well. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary public school K-3…

The experience of teachers who cope with the potential of violence in their workplaces was the topic of this dissertation. The research question was the following: What is the process of coping with the increased potential of violence in the school/work setting for teachers? This question was posed to examine how teachers process and cope with the…

While it is well understood that teachers are leaving the profession, what is less discussed is the why behind teachers choosing to leave. In 2023, 44% of teachers surveyed said they were likely or very likely to leave their job within the next two years. By 2025, unfilled teaching positions are expected to approach 200,000 (Mielke, 2023). This…

Because the dominant narrative in the media around teachers is fixated on the burnout and unhappiness they are experiencing, this dissertation study explored the joy female Critical Teachers of Color experienced while teaching during the COVID-19 global pandemic. In this qualitative study, I employed both autoethnography and portraitures as a way…

Empathy is an emotional intelligence skill that has been known to make significant impacts in various professional environments. Teachers have always been expected to work at high levels in the midst of difficulties. Educators are constantly inundated with increasing workloads, added responsibilities, ever changing expectations and regular…

The research presented here is a qualitative heuristic inquiry, sparked and driven by the following research question: How do first-year elementary teachers experience coping with strain? This inquiry investigated the experiences of six first-year elementary school teachers coping with strain working in a southwestern state of the United States.…

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted educational systems worldwide, compelling educators to rapidly adapt to unprecedented challenges. This dissertation presents the findings of a phenomenological study that delves into the perceptions and experiences of teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research explores the multifaceted impact of the…

Teachers all around the world are finding their profession laden with substantial stress. Many are considering quitting, or at a minimum, finding themselves taking time off in order to cope with the pressures of the job. Teachers are over-burdened by low pay and heavy workloads: planning and grading, high expectations, performance evaluations,…

Individuals working in school settings are particularly vulnerable to work-related stress. Data from the 2013 Gallup-Health-ways Well-Being Index found that 46% of teachers in K-12 settings report high levels of daily stress (Lever et al., 2017). About 40% of Black or African American teachers were considering leaving their jobs, compared with…

The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting effects on teacher education, particularly in California, where policy shifts in credentialing requirements during the pandemic have impacted teacher preparation programs (TPPs). This case study investigated the experiences of teacher candidates during the pandemic and their preparedness for post-pandemic K-12…

The purpose of this study was to examine burnout during the career cycle of special education teachers working with students identified with emotional disturbance. Specifically, this study explored how teachers utilized coping strategies during their encounters with burnout, and the supports needed for long term success. Eight special education…

The purpose of this review of literature was to examine existing research on the application of compassion-based interventions for educator well-being. The review focuses on empirical studies that have used all or components of a compassion-based training, interventions, and programs. Compassion-based programs and interventions have been found to…

The severe teacher shortage in Alabama's rural districts negatively impacts student outcome and educational quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the challenges and coping strategies related to recruiting and retaining teachers in rural Alabama schools. The study's theoretical frameworks are Ryan and Deci's intrinsic motivation and…

This qualitative descriptive study aims to explore the coping strategies employed by White high school teachers to manage the psychological impacts of confrontational behavior exhibited by students in predominantly Black schools in the Midwestern United States. The study seeks to understand these teachers' personal and professional experiences,…

Student behavior management is a critical component of efficacious teaching and a leading contributor to teachers' stress. Prior research has shown that teachers experiencing greater levels of workplace stress may utilize more punitive and exclusionary disciplinary techniques. However, these strategies often do not effectively manage student…