Held in Contradiction: What Special Educators Report—and What They Really Say

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 3:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership, Policy, and Practice in Inclusive and Special Education

Abstract

This mixed-methods study explored the tensions between special educators' survey data and focus group narratives to gain a better understanding of special educator burnout. Survey data revealed high conflict and low student-teacher quality, as well as high role-related stress, whereas the focus group data highlighted fulfillment, connection, and sustainability. Providing an insight into the mismatch between what a special educator might quantify in structured surveys and what they express in narrative settings. These discrepancies raise questions and offer insight into the role of a special educator and how burnout is understood, reported, and framed. Offering insights into the complexity and duality of this role and implications for evaluating and assessing professional burnout.

Author

• Katherine Lee, Saint Michael's College