The Toll of Teaching: An Auto-Ethnographic Exploration of Work Hours and Well-Being

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Educational Flow: Teacher Identity and Research in P-8 Classrooms (Table 11)

Abstract

This auto-ethnography explores the relationship between work hours and mental health over the first four years of my teaching career. By tracking total monthly hours and daily mental health ratings, patterns emerged, showing high hours and enthusiasm at the beginning of each school year, followed by end-of-term stress. Consistent patterns of noticeable mid-year slumps in hours and mental health ratings indicate burnout during the holiday seasons. The first year involved significantly more unpaid hours, which decreased over time as experience and confidence grew. These findings emphasize the need for systemic support to manage the fluctuating demands and mental health challenges early career classroom teachers face.

Author

• Ambrosia Daphne Solis, University of California - Riverside