Teacher wellbeing

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Teacher wellbeing

HomeSchool resourcesTeacher wellbeing

Topic summary

Teacher wellbeing is linked to student wellbeing and success.

There is no single agreed-upon definition of wellbeing, but most agree that wellbeing comprises physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Teacher wellbeing can be described as a state where teachers perceive job satisfaction, experience positive emotions more frequently than negative emotions, and function well both as a teacher and in their other roles in life. Functioning well includes supportive professional relationships, professional growth and a feeling of self-efficacy.

Teacher wellbeing is of critical importance because, when schools prioritise teacher wellbeing and help to ensure teachers can flourish, this can promote better classroom climates and enable high quality teaching that leads to success for students. Teacher wellbeing is also linked to student wellbeing, and addressing teacher wellbeing is an important first step in school-wide programmes to promote student wellbeing.

As there is no one agreed upon definition of wellbeing, and it can encompass a range of ideas from positive emotions to purpose in life, the research evidence about teacher wellbeing is diverse. However, the research evidence on factors that contribute to teacher wellbeing, such as resilience, teacher emotional intelligence, teacher learning and identity, self-efficacy and positive, supportive and trusting relationships is strong.

Schools can support teacher wellbeing by considering how the organisational climate, social interactions, and teachers’ individual actions all contribute to teacher wellbeing. A school-wide discussion about what wellbeing means to people, and how to promote it, can be a useful starting point, as this will vary from one school to the next. In addition to the whole-school approach to improving wellbeing, individual teachers need to take charge of their own wellbeing in order to flourish.

  • How do teachers define or describe wellbeing?
  • How do teachers rate their current level of wellbeing?
  • What do teachers do to cope with stress and how can schools support them?
  • How do teachers rate their work/life balance and how can schools support them to maintain a healthy workload?
  • How can schools promote teacher learning to improve wellbeing, and how can teachers be proactive about their own professional development?

Research reviews

The importance of teacher wellbeing

An introduction to the research on the factors that contribute to teacher wellbeing, and some practical tips and tools for supporting and promoting the wellbeing of teachers and students.

Webinars

Providing effective student mental health support and avoiding teacher burnout

Researcher and medical doctor Dr Chris Jenson discusses his research into providing effective mental health and wellbeing support for students by embedding it into existing curricula and learning programmes

Building resilience to support teacher wellbeing

Dr Sarah Ferguson shares her extensive knowledge about how to promote workplace wellbeing, including providing educators with tools and strategies that help them to build their resilience and improve their wellbeing.

Free webinar: Gert Biesta in conversation

Professor Gert Biesta engages in dialogue with New Zealand school teachers.

Teachers supporting children, whānau, and communities post-disaster

Professor Carol Mutch (University of Auckland) shares her research from over 12 years of supporting schools through different disasters and crises both in Aotearoa and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Supporting the wellbeing of teachers, students and parents

Clinical psychologist and Parentland co-founder Dr Natalie Flynn discussed the research behind the importance of supporting wellbeing right now, as well as practical strategies to support mental health.

Infographics

Snapshots

Tips and tools for building teacher resilience and wellbeing

Insights from a webinar with Dr Sarah Ferguson.
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