Research Seminar - I’m petrified of being found to be lacking: exploring the issues of teacher mental health

This is part of the School of Education and Childhood Studies Research Seminar series for the Academic Year 2017-2018

The MICE (Mental Health in Childhood and Education) Hub in SECS is hosting the following research seminar, by Prof Jonathan Glazzard, Professor of Teacher Education, Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University

Title: I’m petrified of being found to be lacking: exploring the issues of teacher mental health

Abstract: This research focuses on the causes of poor teacher mental health. Additionally, it addresses the impact of poor teacher mental health on the quality of teaching, student achievement and the quality of relationships that teachers form with students and colleagues. Whilst existing research focuses on the impact of workload on teacher stress, there is limited research on the impact of poor teacher mental health on children and young people. This study employed a survey which was completed by over 700 teachers. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to capture more in-depth data. Teachers with mental health needs perceived that their mental health had a detrimental impact on the quality of their teaching, student achievement and the quality of relationships they established with students and colleagues. Additionally, the results suggest that poor teacher mental health has a detrimental effect on teachers’ creativity in the classroom. The data indicate that causes of poor mental health in teachers are multi-faceted and complex. Implications for school leaders are drawn out of the data.