"We Adapt, Right? Nobody Wanted This." School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers' Motivation in COVID-19: A Phenomenology

• In Event: Leading and Administering Career and Technical Education Programming

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the essence of Agricultural Education teacher motivation during the shared trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenological study consisted of four solo interviews and one focus group interview (n = 4), with questions asked that focused primarily on teachers’ motivation in teaching activities. Participant responses resulted in three themes: 1) better teachers emerging from the chaos, 2) triumphs and challenges of working with students in the CTE model, and 3) always the scapegoat, rarely allowed to graze. These themes consisted of both motivational and demotivational factors in the teachers’ past year, and provide insight for state CTE staff, teacher educators, and professional development providers as they support teachers as the pandemic continues.

Authors

• Colby Gregg, The Ohio State University - Columbus

• Amanda Michelle Bowling, The Ohio State University

• Rachael Ann Ramsier, The Ohio State University