Top Five Factors Influencing Teacher Wellness
Turns out, teachers are human.
The pandemic rebrand of teachers as superheroes was a flattering respite, but as it turns out… teachers are human.
Now that the world has remembered teachers are mere mortals, let’s take a look at some implications.
Elena Aguilar cites the research of the Center for Nonviolent Communication and neuroscientist Matthew Leiberman when she explains that humans share a constellation of critical basic needs rather than a pyramid, as Maslow theorized.
The research (and common sense!) is clear: educators can thrive in workplaces where they can feel impactful, work toward a worthwhile purpose, and be part of a community.
Thinking of my own time as a teacher and then as an instructional coach, I needed to feel both competent and able to grow in my work. I needed both challenge and support in tackling those hard new goals. This applied to helping the brand new teacher who struggled to stay organized and to planning a PD session for a 90-person faculty.
Working in a school, I also needed to feel like I was part of something bigger than myself and that our mission was worthwhile. Finally, I needed to feel a connection with colleagues and students.
When I felt excited to be on the same team as amazing, kind educators who were by my side as we closed achievement gaps and vanquished fixed mindsets, I did my best work.
On the other hand, there were moments when I didn’t have the trust of my peers or was undermined by my principal. Not surprisingly, the quality of my work suffered. So did my energy and happiness.
I derived the following Top Five Factors Influencing Teacher Wellness from my experience working in schools, my research on teacher resilience, and my work with teachers to support their well-being.
Would you choose the same five factors? How have these factors made a difference in your ability to thrive at work, either by their presence or their absence?
Top Five Factors Influencing Teacher Wellness
Autonomy
Most of us came to teaching ready to put our heart and soul into the work to bring the best of ourselves to our students. Since we’re all unique, our best is never cookie-cutter. This is where autonomy comes in.
Research indicates that teacher autonomy is positively associated with job satisfaction and teacher retention. Teachers who perceive themselves as having more autonomy are less likely to leave their positions.
From control over content, pedagogy, and grading to broader factors like time constraints, workload, and the ability to innovate, autonomy is crucial for allowing us to thrive as educators (not to mention improving student outcomes).
Alignment with our Values
When teachers actively live out their values at work, that authenticity creates a ripple effect that can positively transform the school environment, inspire students, and enhance their own job satisfaction and engagement.
In my one-on-one coaching partnerships, we begin by exploring the teacher’s values; it plants seeds of genuine trust and connection. It also lets me remind them of their values throughout the coaching process so they make choices aligned with their best true selves.
Under the best of circumstances, a teacher’s values become the guiding force behind every interaction with students and colleagues, every lesson plan created, and every decision made.
Research suggests that when teachers maintain their core values, they navigate the challenges of the job more effectively, experience lower rates of burnout, and remain at their schools longer. Moreover, teachers who align their work with their values tend to foster a more positive work environment, leading to higher collective efficacy and better student learning results across the school.
Opportunities for Collaboration
Take it from this ten-year middle school teacher: Being in a room with 29 8th graders for a whole day (or just a whole class period) can get lonely! Collaboration is the antidote to the isolation teachers can feel in their work. It also fosters professional development, allowing us to learn from one another and improve our practice.
This collective growth contributes to school improvement and empowers teachers to deliver the best possible education to their students, fostering a culture in which both educators and students thrive.
Feeling Seen, Heard, and Valued by School Leaders
When classroom educators feel heard and valued, the positive effects resonate throughout the school. Research indicates that teachers who feel respected and appreciated are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work.
The benefits of a positive school culture where teachers feel valued are clear. It leads to improved teacher morale, reduced turnover, and a more cohesive approach to education.
Opportunities for Growth and Challenge
As educators, we know we need to keep students in their zone of proximal development (ZPD) for maximum learning. The same is true for us! When we get to learn something new, try novel strategies, or take on a leadership role, it challenges and engages us in ways that feel good.
Hanging out in our own ZPDs releases cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin, which are like jet fuel for our resilience.
All of these factors are related to our core human needs in some way.
When our needs are met, we are content. Most importantly, contentedness allows us to act as our best selves—maybe not exactly like superheroes, but as close as humanly possible.
Imagine the ripple effect for teachers who are operating at their best. Our teachers and our students both deserve that!
Are you looking to increase your wellness and resilience for 2024-25? Do you need a brief step outside your comfort zone to reset your ZPD? Apply for the Empowered Educator 2024 Summer Session. Building on two decades of teaching and leadership roles in DC-area schools, I founded Teach Learn Thrive to support school leaders and teachers through effective and inspiring learning experiences. Because resilient teachers fuel thriving schools. And, if you’ve got questions, I’ve got answers. Contact me for a consultation.
