Compassion Fatigue Among Science and Mathematics Teachers: Investigating Climate Influences on Educator Burnout and Attrition

• In Event: 47.096 - MTCC Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: 47.096-13 - The Effect of School Climate and Culture on Teachers

Abstract

Attrition resulting from teacher burnout exerts an especially high price on children and their families. Further complicating teacher attrition from high-needs schools is the added tendency for science and math teachers to depart with greater frequency. It has been proposed that improving the supply of teachers is an unsuitable remedy; instead, fixing the “leaky bucket” is more likely to create lasting beneficial effects relative to making it easier for people to take teaching positions in urban schools. This study’s purpose was to investigate school administrators’ and teacher-leaders’ perceptions about factors contributing to science and mathematics teacher attrition with the goal of uncovering potential approaches for reducing attrition-related burnout.

Authors

• John Settlage, University of Connecticut - Avery Point

• Alanna Cooney, University of Connecticut - Avery Point