Burnout and stress among teachers are becoming increasingly concerning in light of the nation-wide teacher shortage. A research recently conducted by the University of Missouri offers insight on the correlation between work stress, job satisfaction, and the likelihood of a teacher leaving the profession. The research was conducted by Seth Woods, a former doctoral student at MU, working alongside Keith Herman, a Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the MU College of Education and Human Development, and other researchers. The study surveyed 2,300 teachers from Missouri and Oklahoma and asked them to rate their stress levels, their ability to cope with the stress, and their job satisfaction.
Woods mentioned that the findings were expected, but the research highlights the significance of how teachers manage stress. Poor coping mechanisms can lead to burnout which, in turn, often forces teachers to leave the profession. Woods, who is now the principal at Beulah Ralph Elementary School in Columbia, Missouri, advocated for devoting more time and resources into helping teachers identify and adopt positive methods of handling stress.
Efforts to reduce job stress can be quick, easy, and free. Woods suggests writing a short letter of gratitude and delivering it to a colleague that one enjoys working with. Keith Herman, the author of “Stress Management for Teachers: A Proactive Guide,” claimed that there are other techniques that teachers can use such as increasing positive interactions with students and peers, improving classroom management skills, and avoiding gossip in the workplace.
Herman further argues that school principals, district superintendents, and administrators can all play a role in helping stressed teachers cope by communicating with them and expressing empathy. It is essential to strive towards creating an environment where teachers can thrive, as well as providing support and tools to ensure teachers’ success. Funding for this research was provided by the US Department of Education and the National Institute of Justice.
