Abstract
The purpose of this research was to conduct a case study of elementary teachers to understand their perceptions on the causes of burnout and their affects on student achievement. This researcher undertook this study because she had witnessed how stress affected her and her colleagues’ performance as well as her own. The study focused on the following three questions: 1. What are teacher perceptions regarding stress and burnout in teaching? 2. What are teacher perceptions regarding the causes of stress and burnout among teachers at Jack Smith Elementary School (pseudonym)? 3. What are the possible solutions to reduce or limit the symptoms of stress and burnout in teaching at Jack Smith Elementary School? Brief Literature Review Many causes factor into why teachers become stressed and burned out on the job prompting them to leave the field of education (Brock & Grady, 2000). Poor working conditions, lack of support, self-doubt, and predisposed personality issues all contribute to the symptoms of burnout. If burnout is reached and symptoms are ignored, many teachers leave the field. Methodology The data used for the study were collected from one elementary school in a large, urban school district in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California. The researcher obtained data for the study from staff surveys and interview responses. The data used to develop this case study were collected from 16 elementary school (K-6) teachers by way of a questionnaire. Six of those teachers also participated in a structured interview. Conclusions and Recommendations The findings of this study validate current research, indicating stress and burnout are prevalent in the field of teaching. Teachers at Smith Elementary indicated feeling stressed and having symptoms of burnout at one time or another in their careers. Future research in the area of stress and burnout among teachers is recommended to examine the current challenges in education. Furthermore, future research on techniques and strategies to reduce stress in the workplace is recommended for both teachers and the administration at Jack Smith Elementary School.