Chapter 5: Elementary Teacher Morale and Mental Health Following the Covid-19 Pandemic

As teachers entered the 2021–2022 school year, schools tasked teachers with the challenge of closing the learning loss gap, maintaining the same standards as a typical school year, implementing COVID-19 safety protocols, and teaching to grade-level standards. The current study used the theoretical framework of teacher demoralization to explore teacher morale and mental health at the end of the 2021–2022 school year. The sample included 459 PK–12 elementary teachers from across the United States. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to test a set of predictors for two models – one with mental health and one with morale as a dependent variable. The results found that teacher autonomy and administrative support were significant predictors of teacher morale and mental health. Implications focus on steps school leaders can take to support teacher well-being.