Parent-Teacher Relationships and Burnout in Elementary Settings: An Exploratory Study in One U.S. State

• In Event: Exploring Parent, Child, and Youth Outcomes From Home-School Engagement

Abstract

While research links parent-teacher relationships to student and family outcomes, few studies focus on teacher outcomes. This session will explore a quantitative study associating teachers’ perceptions of their relationships with families and burnout. Teachers who (a) were prepared for collaborations with families were less exhausted than ill-prepared teachers, (b) perceived high harmony with families (agreement, fulfilled commitments) were less likely to be cynical and exhausted, and (c) reached out to families were likelier to have high professional efficacy. Results emphasize professional development, particularly for conflict prevention and resolution, and two-way dialogue among teachers and parents. The H.O.W. (Harmony, Outreach, Warmth) model will be discussed as a possibility for teacher- and school-level change regarding parent-teacher interactions for reduced teacher burnout.

Authors

• Kathleen Kyzar, Texas Christian University

• Tracy Gershwin, University of Northern Colorado