Navigating the New Normal: The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Educators

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Much of the world’s population was forced to shelter in place until the spread of COVID-19 could be effectively controlled and mitigated. Though many workers were unable to perform their jobs during this time, educators were an exception. During the pandemic, teachers were compelled to navigate incredibly challenging circumstances in teaching their students, working with their colleagues, and interacting with families and members of the community. Educating students remained a priority, prompting teachers to rapidly acquire new technological skills and instructional strategies to remotely educate and motivate their students. These challenges led to increases in teacher stress, burnout, and attrition. Subsequently, students’ motivation, professional development, and achievement were hindered not only during the peak of the pandemic but in the years that have followed. In this chapter, we delve into the current state of the literature regarding the effects of the pandemic on teacher motivation, stress/anxiety, and retention, and how these factors relate to students’ educational and psychological outcomes.