The International Baccalaureate (IB) commissioned the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University to provide a study on the most recent findings regarding teacher wellbeing. The report, “Wellbeing for Schoolteachers,” delves into various aspects of teacher wellbeing and provides the IB, policymakers and educational leaders with an insight into understanding teacher wellbeing, factors that influence teacher wellbeing, and what evidence-based interventions can be used to improve teacher welfare.
The findings allowed researchers to develop an evidence-based framework that indicates the drivers of teacher wellbeing. This framework serves as a discussion point for schools to identify key drivers most relevant to their school context. International data shows that teachers report one of the highest levels of occupational stress and burnout compared with other professions. The workload is a prominent factor leading teachers to leave the profession.
This report highlights an increasing body of research that suggests one of the most important factors influencing student learning in schools is teacher-related. It’s important to note that student wellbeing and academic achievement correlate with teacher wellbeing.
Based on the study, some key factors positively impacting teacher wellbeing include the following.
The Physical, and Social Aspects of the Workplace are Essential for Staff Wellness
As per the research, when teachers feel positive about the school where they work, their burnout levels are relatively less. A positive work environment also contributes to establishing stronger parent-school bonds and lower attrition rates. Teachers’ negative perceptions of schools have been tied to lower rates of teacher job satisfaction and working efficacy.
Workload is a Crucial Element of Teacher Welfare and Should be Explored as a Factor for Improvement
When teachers do not have enough resources to meet the job’s demands, it results in exhaustion and high-stress levels, potentially leading to negative emotions and ill health. These resources include ‘personal ones relating to motivation and self-efficacy, ‘contextual’ ones relating to supportive relationships between colleagues, students, and leaders, and ‘strategies’ relating to problem-solving abilities, continuous learning and development opportunities, and work-life balance.
Emotional Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and Resilience, is Associated with Better Teacher Health
School stakeholders should consider exploring these drivers with their staff, as they could be effective pathways to improving teacher wellbeing.
Relationships and Social Support are the Most Critical Drivers of Workplace Wellbeing and Job Satisfaction
Workplaces that instil healthy behaviour norms and a positive culture with a sense of support, common purpose, and trust are vital for mental wellbeing at work. It influences employees’ feelings of belonging and meaning. However, more evidence from high-quality research is needed.
Employee Voice is an Essential Aspect of Workplace Development
Involving employees in the decision-making process regarding their work environment and how their work is performed has been shown to have positive outcomes regarding their wellbeing, job satisfaction, and work performance. Research has found that these interventions can be counterproductive when governed solely by top-down leadership, eliminating employee voice and control in their jobs.
School Climate is Important for Teacher Welfare
According to research on teacher wellbeing, it has been divided into the following areas: participation in school decision-making and work autonomy, good teacher-student relationships; feelings of belonging and affiliation with the school; how open the school is to change, development and innovation; and having sufficient resources to carry out teaching duties. All of these aspects interact to support teachers in carrying out their role sufficiently, and in so doing, have been found to lead to enhanced teacher wellbeing.
Teachers should be Supported with Rapid Advances in Technology
Research shows that lack of training and low confidence can have negative impacts on wellbeing-related factors such as workload and stress.
Recognizing the Importance of Salary Satisfaction, Job Security, and Workload Management for Teachers’ Growth
These work-related variables are important for school stakeholders to consider, and staff voice should be considered to determine how important these are in each school context.
It is important to prioritize and value teachers’ wellbeing because it can significantly impact various student outcomes, including academic achievement, wellbeing, and noncognitive skills. Teacher wellbeing can also affect teacher productivity, recruitment, and retention. The study highlights the importance of investing in teacher wellbeing for the sake of the teachers and the benefit of students and the education system. Schools should consider the impact of low teacher wellbeing on teaching and pupils and the cost of attrition, recruitment, and absenteeism. Improvement in teacher wellbeing could free up vital resources, which could then be spent on the core business of schools: teaching and learning.
Commenting on the report, Dr Laura Taylor, Deputy Director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford and Lead Researcher for the project, stated:
As we navigate the crucial intersection of education and wellbeing, the research evidence highlights the profound importance of prioritizing teacher wellbeing. By investing in the health and happiness of educators, we not only empower them to thrive and lay the foundation for a positive ripple effect on students, schools, and the broader education system.
About the Wellbeing Research Centre
The Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford is an interdisciplinary research Centre based at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, concerned with the study of wellbeing as a driver for public policy and interventions and for improving the lives of future generations. Since 2024, the Wellbeing Research Centre has published the annual World Happiness Report, the world’s foremost publication on global happiness. Findings made by the Centre’s research group have also been published in leading international journals, including Management Science, PNAS and Psychological Science.
