“From Heroes to Scapegoats”: Teacher Perceptions of the Media and Public’s Portrayal of Teachers during COVID-19

Abstract

This study examines teacher perceptions of the media and public’s portrayal of teachers and teaching during COVID-19 from the initial school closures in March 2020 through the reopening process of the 2020–2021 school year. Drawing upon data from 122 full-time, public-school teachers in Massachusetts, findings include teacher perceptions of such portrayals as mischaracterizations, not inclusive of authentic teacher voices, and lacking in complexity. Furthermore, teachers perceived a shift in portrayal over the course of the pandemic.

Keywords:

• Teacher images
• teacher perception
• media
• public discourse
• public opinion
• teacher identity