Developing an Ethic of Care to Support Mental Wellness in Preservice Teachers

• In Event: Supporting Pre- and In-Service Educators

Abstract

Mental illness affects nearly 50% of Americans at some point in their lives (CDC, 2018), and stress, depression, and anxiety is prevalent within the teaching field with many leaving teaching as a result of mental illness (Chambers Mack, et al., 2019). This study uses an ethic of care approach (Noddings, 2012) to inform pedagogical and programmatic changes related to better supporting preservice teachers’ mental wellness. Drawing from survey and interview data from 33 preservice teachers, the research team worked to first understand and second to advocate for changes in order to improve the educational experience for preservice teachers. Substantive changes were made pedagogically and programmatically resulting in potential starting points for other preservice teacher programs to consider.

Authors

• Mary Beth Ressler, North Central College

• Cynthia M Apantenco, Yorkville High School

• Lindsay Joseph Wexler, North Central College

• Kathleen B. King, North Central College