Preparing Future Teachers to Respond to Stress: Sources and Solutions

Abstract

The transition from student to teacher has its inherent stressors. However, this situation is exacerated by the abundance of stressors in the teaching profession. Teacher preparation programs may enhance their students' experiences during this transition by positioning them with information regarding the stressors unique to the teaching profession. Teacher preparation programs may help new teachers anticipate common stressors and factors that help mitigate these stressors resulting in lesser “fallout” common to the profession: high attrition, lowered efficacy and burnout. This paper identifies common sources of teacher stress, school-based factors that help mediate stress experienced by teachers, and promising preventive responses for teacher preparation programs.