The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher religiosity and teacher self-efficacy. The present study builds upon previous research which has shown purposeful work in everyday living fosters intrinsic motivation, religious orientation affects daily living, and teacher self-efficacy beliefs predict student achievement. Religiosity and self-efficacy data were gathered from public school teachers from a suburban school district in North Texas and from private Christian schools in Western Washington. The Age Universal I-E scale (a measure of religious orientation intended to capture how one lives out his/her religiosity), Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale, and a teacher characteristic form were used to collect data. In a multiple regression analysis, independent variables included teacher age, gender, grade level taught, experience level, campus type (public or private religious), and teacher religious orientation (intrinsic or extrinsic); the dependent variable was the score for teacher self-efficacy. The regression analysis resulted in an equation that explained only slightly more than 9% of the variance in the score for teacher self-efficacy. Three significant variables were identified--grade level taught, teacher age, and intrinsic religious orientation. Teacher age and teacher intrinsic religious orientation were the two most important contributors according to a comparison of beta weights. Intrinsic religious orientation contributed to the equation, but it acted as a suppressor variable in the study, having little predictive value by itself but contributing to the predictive value of the model. Based on the data collected, recommendations for future research and suggestions for field application are offered.

This study, based on survey and interview data, seeks to understand how and why teachers in Catholic schools can be supported in their own spiritual development. The research describes and suggests ways to support and nurture spiritual formation for those who accept the vocation of teaching in Catholic schools. Employing survey and interview methods, this inquiry is philosophically rooted in four Lonergan precepts of human consciousness. Be attentive; be intelligent; be reasonable; be responsible. The study begins with attentiveness to the researcher's personal experience followed by an attending to the literature relevant to that lived situation. The formation of an intelligent inquiry into the questions arising from the named experiences deepens into a reasonable and responsible summary of the knowledge gained through the research. Teachers from a small urban/rural Catholic school district were surveyed. Of the 267 surveys distributed, 112 were completed and returned (42%). From those surveyed, five volunteers were selected to be interviewed, responding to nine questions regarding spiritual formation and the factors contributing to it. Recommendations that may nurture the spiritual development of teachers in Catholic schools are put forth in the concluding chapter of the thesis. These include recognizing teaching as ministry and supporting it as such; remaining attentive to the life questions of those in the vocation of teaching; leadership through example and witness; and nurturing the building of rich, authentic relationships in the school community. / x, 143 leaves ; 28 cm.