ERIC Number: EJ1445478
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1350-4622
EISSN: EISSN-1469-5871
Emotions and Perceptions Surrounding Teaching Climate Change in the United States: Results from a Teacher Survey
Susan Clayton; Angeline Sangalang; Rebecca Anderson
Environmental Education Research, v30 n11 p2020-2030 2024
Children are worried about climate change. Educational settings provide an opportunity to help children cope with their worries, but teachers do not always feel comfortable doing so. One reason for hesitancy may be their own negative emotions. This paper describes findings from a survey of climate-aware teachers, looking at their perceptions and emotions about climate change, as well as their experiences in teaching climate-related topics. Teachers had both positive and negative responses to climate change; motivation and compassion along with frustration and sadness were the four most common emotional responses. They also generally felt supported in their teaching. Both positive and negative emotions inspired teachers to talk with their students about climate change, but feeling climate anxiety was associated with hesitancy. There was evidence that increased understanding of climate change was associated with lower climate anxiety. Teachers reported that they would value more support for teaching climate change.
Descriptors: Psychological Patterns, Teacher Attitudes, Controversial Issues (Course Content), Climate, Change, Teaching Experience, Teacher Behavior, Teacher Motivation, Altruism, Emotional Response, Anxiety, Knowledge Level, Barriers, Parent Role, Administrator Role, Social Support Groups, Instructional Program Divisions, Intellectual Disciplines, Individual Differences, High School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Environmental Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A