Retaining Resilient Teachers in Turbulent Times

Author

Rachel N. Capitano, Lynn University
Allison L. Castellano, Lynn University

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Granting Institution

Lynn University

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EDD)

Degree Program

Educational Leadership

Department

College of Education

First Advisor

Kathleen Weigel

Second Advisor

Jennifer J. Lesh

Third Advisor

Kelly A. Burlison

Abstract

Teacher vacancies were at an all-time high. It was time, as Becky Pringle, National Education Association (NEA) President, stated, to address this “five-alarm crisis” (Walker, 2022). The demands on educators were really high during the recent pandemic (Casey, 2022). Emotional intelligence was essential to a leader’s as well as an organization’s success. Having emotionally intelligent leaders had an impact on an employee's job satisfaction and possibly helped with teacher retention at schools.

This study used a two-stage mixed-methods approach to examine whether there was a correlation between a principal’s emotional intelligence rating (EQ) and their teachers’ annual school effectiveness questionnaire (SEQ) satisfaction rate.

The principal participants took the 20-question Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment Tool adapted from Emily A. Sterrett, Ph.D. via an emailed google form. After the survey questions were answered the researchers analyzed the results within the four constructs of Goleman’s Model, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management and looked for themes and patterns that possibly contributed to a high satisfaction rating.

During phase two, the researchers conducted qualitative research with teachers and school leaders serving as principals separately to analyze Google form responses about job satisfaction and desires for programs that would increase their job satisfaction. Data analysis included the use of several varied descriptive statistics that summarized data, looked for themes, and determined whether a correlation existed amongst the variables. This quantitative and qualitative data enabled the researchers to determine what contributed to high satisfaction ratings and assisted them in developing a tool that helped school leaders improve teacher recognition and employee programs.

It was no secret that the latest Covid-19 crisis impacted the country on several levels. Schools struggled pre-pandemic to staff positions, and the current research available showed the impact on education was staggering. Employee satisfaction, stress, and better opportunities were reasons cited in the research as the reason employees left their positions. Leading a school after a crisis was no easy feat and school leaders needed a product with tools that could help them better understand their own emotional intelligence and the impact it had on their teachers. The developed product assisted school leaders with ensuring their teachers were resilient, valued, and recognized. Imagine a school community with equipped emotionally intelligent leaders and resilient teachers that feel valued and recognized, translating to them being better able to deal with crisis situations. It is likely that current and future teacher retention issues would be lessened for school leaders

Recommended Citation

Capitano, R. N., & Castellano, A. L. (2024). Retaining resilient teachers in turbulent times [Doctoral dissertation, Lynn University]. SPIRAL. https://spiral.lynn.edu/etds/412