“I Have to Hold It!” Teachers Describe Their Experiences With Bathroom Breaks

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Investigating Dilemmas of Teacher Practice (Table 40)

Abstract

The ability to use the bathroom when needed is a worker’s right and important for physical health. However, teachers often have limited access to the bathroom. This study analyzed open-ended questions from an online survey to understand 844 Pre-K-12 teachers’ experiences with bathroom breaks. We analyzed survey data using content analysis. Most teachers reported needing to contact another adult before using the bathroom and that sometimes, their request was denied. Respondents described having to leave students unsupervised or interrupt another teacher’s instruction. Together, these results highlight the lack of attention in many schools to teachers’ bathroom breaks and the need for better systems and procedures to allow teachers breaks when needed.

Authors

• Alison Hooper, University of Alabama

• Kristin Johnson, University of Alabama

• Whitney Wahl, University of Alabama

• Cailin J. Kerch, University of Alabama

• Lee J. Winchester, University of Alabama