Date of Award
Fall 12-16-2021
Document Type
Project (696 or 796 registration)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Special Education
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Marci Glessner
Keywords
special education teacher, burnout, stress
Abstract
Special education teacher burnout has been a topic of concern dating back to the 1970s when it was first identified and conceptualized and has since been a growing trend in the field of education (Embse, 2019). With the everchanging world of education, the demands of a special education teacher have grown and are causing new triggers that are contributing to their burnout. Research is showing that 40% of new teachers are leaving the profession within the first five years of teaching with stress and burnout at the top of the list contributing to their departure (Herman, 2020). Since researching about what stress and burnout is, what the signs are, what causes it, and what some coping skills are to help overcome special education teacher stress and burnout, they never brought up strategies to help but instead talked about coping strategies or interventions to help before the stress become chronic. Active coping strategies allow everyone to participate and reflect on the skills and tools they have learned about and participated in. One main strategy that was a common theme in many studies was mindfulness. Some other strategies that help with minimizing stress and overcome burnout are practicing meditation, journaling, finding hobbies, making time for oneself and family, collaborating with colleagues, forming support groups within the professional setting, finding yourself spiritually, and living a healthy lifestyle. When stress is minimized, the retention of teachers is done, and school districts can ease the financial burden of high turnover rates of teachers leaving the filed due to burnout.
Recommended Citation
Eastwood, Amber, "Strategies to Overcome Special Education Teacher Burnout" (2021). Dissertations, Theses, and Projects. 575.
https://red.mnstate.edu/thesis/575
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Other Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons