Researchers from Monash University have surveyed 1000 primary and secondary teachers across the country and their results reveal what health and wellbeing measures educators consider essential at work.
Its findings are a bid to contribute towards solving the teacher shortage crisis through recruiting and retaining teachers.
The results of the study say practicing teachers’ wellbeing needs to be prioritised as well as initial and student teacher mental, physical and emotional health.
The suvey said there are five ‘overwhelmingly emphasised’ components the educators identified.
The top five components of wellbeing according to teachers. Source: Monash University
Feeling safe, both physically and psychologically in the school environment and in professional interactions, was the number one component of wellbeing at work, the survey says.
This was followed by feeling supported, which means having access to resources and practical assistance from colleagues and management, being emotionally ‘backed’ by their school and having a guide or mentor that will effectively listen and respond to them.
The last three of the top five include feeling valued by the school community to cultivate a sense of belonging, feeling their professional judgement is trusted and that they are allowed to be autonomous, and finally, achieving a healthy work-life balance.
A prior 2023 study found that across the 28 OECD countries, only 24.5 per cent feel valued in society, 18.4 per cent feel valued by the media, 13.3 per cent said they feel valued on average, and 22.5 per cent felt they had influence on educational policy.
The Monash researchers said schools could look at their current teacher wellbeing and professional development programs and consider aligning them with the findings of their study.
Co-researcher Duyen Vo said the findings should also inform and be taken on by policymakers.
“[Teacher wellbeing] affects teacher recruitment, retention and the quality of education provided to students, she said.
“High levels of teacher stress, anxiety and burnout, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlight the urgent need for focused systemic efforts to support teachers’ wellbeing.”
Ms Vo said a clear framework that measured educators’ welfare could create healthier work environments and positively affect teacher recruitment and retention.
The study shows how the top five wellbeing measures underscore the crucial role of social relationships in teacher wellbeing.
Co-researcher Kelly-Ann Allen also said focusing on teacher wellbeing will benefit everyone.
“For decades, school leaders and teachers have focused on student wellbeing, now it is time to broaden this focus to consider all staff as well,” Ms Allen said.
“Research has repeatedly demonstrated the link between the wellbeing and mental health of teachers and children’s academic outcomes and their own mental health.
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