Ahmad, Salma

Teacher Burnout: Surviving the First Few Years

Keywords: Stress, Burnout, Teachers, Coping

Abstract

In light of high teacher attrition rates and the high rates of burnout in the profession, the researcher chose to explore stress and burnout as well as coping methods used by an experienced classroom teacher, a first year teacher and an experienced music teacher. The aim of this paper is to investigate and report on the burnout experience and coping strategies of successful teachers in the Canadian context in order to share this knowledge with others in the profession to curb the negative effects that arise as a result of burnout. The participants were drawn from am urban middle school to focus on the middle school context which has not been represented in the research to date. Preliminary analysis suggests that teachers value mentors and control within their classrooms mitigate against stress and burnout. Furthermore emotional and physical tolls on teachers exacerbate stress and burnout in the teaching profession.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my supervisor Doug McDougall who gave me direction in the execution of this project. I also wish to thank my family, my friend and my graduating class who have been very supportive and always willing to lend and ear.