Demoralized Teachers and How Caring Can Help

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 2:30 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Challenges With Teacher Demoralization and Experiences With Bias (Table 25)

Abstract

As the United States continues to confront high rates of teacher attrition, education researchers are more closely examining the effects of demoralization within the teaching profession. Demoralization occurs when teachers are no longer able to access the moral rewards of their work due to ongoing value conflicts that they experience within the workplace. Often conflated with teacher burnout, teacher demoralization is caused by a loss of pedagogical autonomy, preventing teachers from acting on their vision of “good” work. Applying three theories of care, this proposal presents a theoretical analysis of teacher demoralization. Practical considerations for “remoralizing” practices are included for school leaders and teacher educators as they continue to combat the issue of teacher attrition.

Author

• Kathryn Polley, University of Georgia