Susan Shires

Date of Award

2-2015

Document Type

Access Controlled Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Education (MSEd)

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

Helena Baert

Second Advisor

JoEllen Bailey, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Matthew Madden

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine factors of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among general physical education (GPE) and adapted physical education (APE) teachers. In addition, the study aimed to identify any differences or similarities in satisfaction among GPE and APE teachers. A cross-sectional design was employed to survey physical education teachers in New York State using The Teacher Burnout Scale by Seidman and Zager (1986). The survey included 21 questions focusing on four main factors that can contribute to burnout: career satisfaction, perceived administrative support, coping with job-related stress, and attitudes towards students. The survey also asked two additional open ended questions asking participants to list factors leading to job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction. Forty five participants volunteered from the 2013 New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) conference and were categorized into either the GPE group (N= 27) or the APE group (n=18). Quantitative and qualitative results revealed that job related stressors were the highest contributing factors to dissatisfaction. Both GPE and APE teachers indicated similar job related stressors: lack of equipment, poor relationships with co-workers, more administrative duties, and not enough planning time. No significant differences in factors contributing to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction emerged through the data. However, the data provided many similarities for factors in job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among GPE and APE teachers. Qualitative results revealed that positive relationships with students and student achievement were the highest contributing factors to job satisfaction for both the GPE and APE groups. Quantitative results revealed that overall satisfaction with their career choice was the highest contributing factor to job satisfaction for both GPE and APE teachers.

Download

Share

COinS