The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine how participants perceived their principal's leadership style and whether differences existed in their perceptions based on the demographic variables of age, gender, experience, education attainment and ethnicity. Transformational leaders were considered influential, change agents who motivated teachers to work collaboratively as a team to achieve defined goals. These leaders developed personal relationships and focused on increasing teachers' basic needs and developing them into leaders. On the other hand, transactional leaders were considered the status quo. These leaders developed impersonal relationships and motivated teachers according to their personal self-interest. They focused on social and economic exchanges, using contingent rewards to reinforce positive behaviors and administered punishment to reform negative behaviors. One-hundred and thirteen participants from six elementary schools participated in this study. The Multi-Leadership Questionnaire was used to collect data. Cronbach alpha was used to establish internal reliability consistency of the instrument. The data was analyzed using mean scores, percentages, chi-square, t-test and ANOVA. The research findings indicated that perception scores at both school levels were higher for transformational leadership than transactional leadership. According to the mean score interpretation (Table 2) and the participant's mean scores, 92.9% of participants perceived their principal as fairly often a transformational leader and 7.1% perceived their principal as frequently a transformational leader. Ironically, 100% of participants perceived their principal as sometimes a transactional leader. The research findings indicated that overall, teachers at both levels perceived their principal as fairly often a transformational leader and sometimes a transactional leader. Based on the demographic findings, an ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in teachers' perceptions of their principal's transformational leadership style based on years of experience. Participants with more years of experience perceived their principal with significant higher mean scores than those with fewer years of experience. Recommendations included: (a) conducting further research to determine the impact that principals' leadership style have on student performance from a national perspective, (b) conducting a Longitudinal Research study to determine the impact that leadership styles have on student performance, and (c) exploring leadership styles extensively to identify the various leadership traits exhibited by both public and private elementary school principals.

The relationships between teacher opinions about Virginia's Standards of Learning testing program and five variables related to teachers' backgrounds and present working conditions were examined in the context of five dependent variables represented as discrete domains. A systematic sample of 464 members of the Virginia Education Association (VEA) was selected to participate in the study. A 52 item survey was mailed to the members of the sample to gather their opinions about the outcomes they believed were occurring as a result of Virginia's Standards of Learning testing program and the state's Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia. Three hundred fifty-two usable questionnaires were returned, for a 76% return rate. Descriptive statistics were used to portray teacher responses in five domains. Three way ANOVAs were computed to determine if any significant main effects or interactions were evident among the independent variables of tenure status, SOL test grade status, and school socio-economic level. Telephone surveys of twelve randomly selected teachers were conducted to enhance understanding of three dependent variables (domains): student outcomes, instructional outcomes, and teacher outcomes. These data were analyzed using qualitative strategies. Findings: Teachers' responses to the mailed survey indicated relatively unfavorable opinions about the outcomes of Virginia's Standards of Learning testing program and related regulations. Outcomes for instructional programs and for teachers themselves were rated more unfavorably than outcomes for students, outcomes for schools, or outcomes for public confidence. The ANOVA analyses indicated that teacher opinions did not vary meaningfully by any of the variables studied or by any combination of these variables. In short, even though a systematic sample of VEA members from throughout the state was surveyed, the opinions of this group of teachers were remarkably similar. Interview data confirmed that teachers had many concerns about outcomes associated with SOL testing. The interviews also indicated that teachers attributed several positive outcomes to SOL testing as well. Several rival hypotheses are presented to explain the apparent homogeneity of opinions among this systematic sample of Virginia educators. / Ed. D.

This study presents a review of teaching performance and its relation with teacher's personal and professional satisfaction / dissatisfaction that has a repercussion on their person and can lead to «burnout» or deterioration of their health and wellbeing. The main objective of this research focuses on the knowledge of the opinions and experiences of teachers about teaching performance and its repercussions on the personal and professional satisfaction and identifies the key factors of satisfaction / dissatisfaction of teachers. The results show that the positive experiences of teachers in the exercise of teaching profession produce satisfaction that lead to the personal and professional development and fulfillment. These have great influence on teaching and student learning, while negative experiences produce personal and professional dissatisfaction. / En este trabajo se presenta una revisión sobre el desempeño docente y su relación con la satisfacción/insatisfacción personal y laboral del profesorado que repercute en el profesor y que puede conducir a desgaste en su salud y bienestar. El objetivo de este trabajo se centra en el conocimiento de las opiniones y vivencias del profesorado sobre el desempeño y sus repercusiones en la satisfacción laboral y personal del profesorado e identificar los factores fundamentales de satisfacción/ insatisfacción de los docentes. Los resultados indican que las experiencias positivas del profesorado en el ejercicio de la docencia producen satisfacción y conllevan el desarrollo y la realización personal y profesional, que tienen gran influencia en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje del alumnado, mientras que las experiencias negativas producen insatisfacción personal y profesional. / Neste trabalho apresentase uma revisão sobre o Desempenho Docente e a suarelação com a satisfação / insatisfação pessoal e laboral, e respetivas repercussões que podem levar ao desgaste na saúde e bem-estar dos professores. O principal objetivo deste trabalho centra-se no conhecimento das opiniões e vivências dos professores sobre o desempenho e o impacto no seu trabalho e na sua satisfação pessoal, tentando também identificar os principais fatores de satisfação / insatisfação dos docentes. Os resultados mostram que as experiências positivas dos professores no exercício da docência produzem satisfação e comportam o desenvolvimento e a realização pessoal e profissional, que sem dúvida têm grande influência no ensino-aprendizagem dos alunos. Por outro lado, as experiências negativas produzem insatisfação pessoal e profissional, podendo causar rejeiçãopela profissão.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:49:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO FINAL WILLIAM[1].pdf: 757637 bytes, checksum: 00d2c337c55a7b6405f19d7925c6d73d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-06 / The purpose of this study was to identify, according to teachers of public schools of São Paulo State, (1) the factors of dissatisfaction, (2) the factors of motivation in their respective career phases, (3) suggestions of challenging goals in their professional careers, (4) their preferences between individual and collective challenges, and (5) stimuli which can be used in a leveraging plan, within the parameters of State Teaching Statute. The choice of subjects was done in two public schools of the state of São Paulo, both situated in the city of Presidente Prudente. The first one is located in the central area of the city, has 3000 students, being classified as of great size and, according to the Map of Social Exclusion of Presidente Prudente, is situated In the area of social inclusion. Located in a neighborhood of "mean social exclusion", according to the same geographical criterion applied to the first school, the second school has 1300 students, being classified as of medium size. The method chosen was a qualitative research study classified as a two case study. The data collection was conducted through a semi-structured interview guide, taking care of eliminating name, date or data that could lead to the identification of the teacher interviewed. Fourteen teachers of every career phase and age were interviewed. An observation guide of teacher work places was also utilized with the purpose of supporting and validating the statements collected through the interview. Finally, stimuli, which can be used as motivating factors, were identified by the teachers in the present legislation. Among the most relevant results of the study, an almost unanimity was found in relation to teacher career valorization and recognition, salary revision and a medium and long range plan for the profession. All these proposals were amply supported by the literature review, which highlights the need to remunerate, reward and recognize those professionals for eliminating their dissatisfactions, as a prerequisite for their motivation through which their performance will be better, overcoming the obstacles mentioned in the study and working more and qualitatively better. Finally, in the conclusions of the study the suggestion of an action plan based on the results of the study was presented. This plan intends to lead the teachers to compensate and overcome presently existing barriers in the profession. / O propósito desta pesquisa foi identificar junto a professores de escolas públicas do Estado de São Paulo (1) as causas de insatisfação, (2) os fatores de motivação em suas respectivas fases de carreira, (3) sugestões de metas desafiadoras em suas carreiras profissionais, (4) suas preferências entre desafios individuais e coletivos, e (5) dentro dos parâmetros do Estatuto do Magistério estadual, estímulos que possam ser usados em um plano alavancador da qualidade de ensino. A escolha dos sujeitos foi feita em duas escolas públicas do Estado de São Paulo, ambas situadas na cidade de Presidente Prudente. A primeira localiza-se na área central da cidade, tem 3000 alunos, classificando-se como de grande porte, e, segundo o Mapa de Exclusão Social de Presidente Prudente, está situada na área de inclusão social. A segunda escola, localizada em bairro de média exclusão social , segundo o mesmo critério geográfico aplicado à primeira escola, tem 1300 alunos, classificando-se como de porte médio. O método escolhido foi o de pesquisa qualitativa, utilizando o estudo de dois casos. A coleta de dados foi realizada mediante um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada, tomando-se o cuidado de eliminar nome, data ou dados que pudessem levar à identificação do professor entrevistado. Foram entrevistados catorze professores de todas as fases de carreira e idade. Também foi utilizada a observação dos locais de trabalho do professor visando amparar e dar suporte às declarações colhidas, validando-as. Por fim, foram identificados pelos professores na atual legislação estímulos que podem ser usados como fatores motivacionais. Entre os resultados mais relevantes da pesquisa, encontrou-se uma quase unanimidade em relação à necessidade de valorização e reconhecimento da carreira, revisão salarial e um plano de médio/longo prazo para a profissão. Todas essas propostas foram comprovadas fartamente pela revisão da literatura, destacando-se a necessidade de remunerar, recompensar e reconhecer esses profissionais da educação, eliminando suas insatisfações, como pré-requisito para uma situação de motivação, mediante a qual seu desempenho será melhor, superando os entraves mencionados no estudo e trabalhando mais e qualitativamente melhor. Finalmente, foi apresentada nas conclusões do estudo a sugestão de um plano de ação baseado no resultado da pesquisa. Esse plano pretende levar os professores a compensar e superar os entraves existentes atualmente na profissão.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:54:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO FINAL WILLIAM[1].pdf: 757637 bytes, checksum: 00d2c337c55a7b6405f19d7925c6d73d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-06 / The purpose of this study was to identify, according to teachers of public schools of São Paulo State, (1) the factors of dissatisfaction, (2) the factors of motivation in their respective career phases, (3) suggestions of challenging goals in their professional careers, (4) their preferences between individual and collective challenges, and (5) stimuli which can be used in a leveraging plan, within the parameters of State Teaching Statute. The choice of subjects was done in two public schools of the state of São Paulo, both situated in the city of Presidente Prudente. The first one is located in the central area of the city, has 3000 students, being classified as of great size and, according to the Map of Social Exclusion of Presidente Prudente, is situated In the area of social inclusion. Located in a neighborhood of "mean social exclusion", according to the same geographical criterion applied to the first school, the second school has 1300 students, being classified as of medium size. The method chosen was a qualitative research study classified as a two case study. The data collection was conducted through a semi-structured interview guide, taking care of eliminating name, date or data that could lead to the identification of the teacher interviewed. Fourteen teachers of every career phase and age were interviewed. An observation guide of teacher work places was also utilized with the purpose of supporting and validating the statements collected through the interview. Finally, stimuli, which can be used as motivating factors, were identified by the teachers in the present legislation. Among the most relevant results of the study, an almost unanimity was found in relation to teacher career valorization and recognition, salary revision and a medium and long range plan for the profession. All these proposals were amply supported by the literature review, which highlights the need to remunerate, reward and recognize those professionals for eliminating their dissatisfactions, as a prerequisite for their motivation through which their performance will be better, overcoming the obstacles mentioned in the study and working more and qualitatively better. Finally, in the conclusions of the study the suggestion of an action plan based on the results of the study was presented. This plan intends to lead the teachers to compensate and overcome presently existing barriers in the profession. / O propósito desta pesquisa foi identificar junto a professores de escolas públicas do Estado de São Paulo (1) as causas de insatisfação, (2) os fatores de motivação em suas respectivas fases de carreira, (3) sugestões de metas desafiadoras em suas carreiras profissionais, (4) suas preferências entre desafios individuais e coletivos, e (5) dentro dos parâmetros do Estatuto do Magistério estadual, estímulos que possam ser usados em um plano alavancador da qualidade de ensino. A escolha dos sujeitos foi feita em duas escolas públicas do Estado de São Paulo, ambas situadas na cidade de Presidente Prudente. A primeira localiza-se na área central da cidade, tem 3000 alunos, classificando-se como de grande porte, e, segundo o Mapa de Exclusão Social de Presidente Prudente, está situada na área de inclusão social. A segunda escola, localizada em bairro de média exclusão social , segundo o mesmo critério geográfico aplicado à primeira escola, tem 1300 alunos, classificando-se como de porte médio. O método escolhido foi o de pesquisa qualitativa, utilizando o estudo de dois casos. A coleta de dados foi realizada mediante um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada, tomando-se o cuidado de eliminar nome, data ou dados que pudessem levar à identificação do professor entrevistado. Foram entrevistados catorze professores de todas as fases de carreira e idade. Também foi utilizada a observação dos locais de trabalho do professor visando amparar e dar suporte às declarações colhidas, validando-as. Por fim, foram identificados pelos professores na atual legislação estímulos que podem ser usados como fatores motivacionais. Entre os resultados mais relevantes da pesquisa, encontrou-se uma quase unanimidade em relação à necessidade de valorização e reconhecimento da carreira, revisão salarial e um plano de médio/longo prazo para a profissão. Todas essas propostas foram comprovadas fartamente pela revisão da literatura, destacando-se a necessidade de remunerar, recompensar e reconhecer esses profissionais da educação, eliminando suas insatisfações, como pré-requisito para uma situação de motivação, mediante a qual seu desempenho será melhor, superando os entraves mencionados no estudo e trabalhando mais e qualitativamente melhor. Finalmente, foi apresentada nas conclusões do estudo a sugestão de um plano de ação baseado no resultado da pesquisa. Esse plano pretende levar os professores a compensar e superar os entraves existentes atualmente na profissão.

No description available.

The United States public schools promote inclusion and educational equity among diverse student populations. Considerable and growing numbers of students with categorical disabilities and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are enrolled in regular classrooms. The systemic barriers in learning that they have could impact teacher perceptions and decisions about teaching practices as well as the teaching profession. These students have challenged K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to provide high-quality, accommodative service and equitable educational opportunities in an increasingly STEM-infused society. Professional development associated with teaching students with disabilities and LEP is critical to inform in-service STEM teachers with these students' learning needs and promote student success. Effective preparation and support help maintain teacher satisfaction and retention within the teaching profession. However, the levels and perceptions of STEM teacher participation in such professional development, and whether the service load and professional development regarding the concerned groups of students associated with teacher satisfaction and retention remain unclear. This dissertation addresses these issues through two research studies using secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 School and Staffing Survey Teacher Questionnaire (SASS TQ) national dataset. The first study focused on K-12 STEM educator participation and perceived utility regarding their professional development experience concerning students with disabilities and LEP. Quantitative analysis revealed an overall lower level of participation and perceived utility of such professional development for STEM educators compared to all other educators. The second study examined teacher satisfaction and intent to remain in teaching, as well as their relationships to teacher service load and professional development specific to students with disabilities and LEP. Results indicated that K-12 STEM educators were less likely to feel satisfied or intent on remaining in teaching, compared to the remainder of the teaching population. Logistic regressions showed that service load of students with LEP predicted teacher satisfaction and participation in professional development concerning students with disabilities associated with teacher intent to remain in STEM education, especially for science educators. These findings collectively suggested the necessity and demands of sufficient and useful professional development offerings regarding the two concerned groups of students in inclusive STEM education settings. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of Black teachers regarding their decision to teach and the satisfaction with their work experiences in predominantly White K-12 schools. A total of 118 teachers who were identified as Black and as employees of a predominantly White school were invited to complete a survey via email. A total of 56 did in fact respond. Of that 56, only 51 respondents provided enough usable data (which is defined as a survey completed in full). The data, which came from a Perceptions Survey, meant to report levels of job satisfaction as it relates to perceptions of work experiences. The primary research question was: What are the perceptions of Black teachers regarding their satisfaction with their work experiences in predominantly White K-12 schools? The subsequent sub-question was: How do those work experiences impact Black teachers’ decision to continue teaching, be promoted from teaching, or recommend a career in teaching to other Black people? The independent or predictor variables were: spirituality, cultural acceptance, interracial relationships, intra-racial relationships, mentoring, and advancement opportunities. The dependent variable was: job satisfaction. A bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine if the predictor variables should be grouped as components using their variance scores. The variance scores did indeed indicate the need to group the predictor variables as components. Those components were named as relationships, oppression, and mindset. The component named oppression had a significant correlation with job satisfaction. Overall the findings indicated that a large percent of Black teachers in predominantly White schools are not satisfied with their job. Further research about the job satisfaction of Black teachers is recommended because of the growing need to recruit and keep Black teachers in our schools.

The demand for highly qualified teachers is well documented, yet numerous stressors influence educators to leave their positions. The guiding question for this study was: Is there a relationship between perceived principal leadership behavior and the stress experienced by the novice secondary teacher? The target population was novice teachers in Louisiana. The purposive sample was delimited to novice secondary teachers having six semesters of teaching experience or less in grades 6 through 12. The ten largest parishes in Louisiana were selected to sample. Four of the ten parishes granted permission to survey novice secondary teachers. The Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire, Form XII (Stogdill, 1963) was used to determine the perception of principal leadership in two dimensions: consideration behavior and initiation of structure behavior. The Teacher Stress Inventory (Fimian, 1988) was used to collect demographic data on the participants and to determine a composite stress score from five sources of stress and five manifestations of stress. The statistical analyses included stepwise multiple regression and one-way ANOVA. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Science Version16.0 (SPSS). Time management, along with discipline and motivation, were the top two sources of stress for novice teachers. Fatigue manifestation and emotional manifestation were the most conspicuous manifestations of stress. These results reflect relevant issues facing the contemporary teacher. Professional investment, the diminished autonomy teachers experience when the locus of control is external to the classroom, was the single most reliable source of stress to predict both initiating structure and consideration leadership behavior. Emotional manifestation was the single most reliable manifestation of stress to predict initiating structure xiv and consideration leadership behavior. No significant relationship was found between the demographic and organizational variables and stress in the novice secondary teacher. Principal leadership is a potential predictor of teacher retention. Thus, the findings of this study have implications for three specific areas: programs of support for new teachers, preparation and training of principal leadership, and policies that are critical for the successful principal.