In today’s demanding educational landscape, teacher well-being is emerging as a critical factor that impacts far more than just the teachers themselves. One of our reading group members, Ma. Jenina Nalipay, recently co-authored a study with Prof. Ronnel King from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Prof. Yuyang Cai of the School of Languages at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. Together, they explored how teachers’ well-being affects not only their own lives but also that of their students. 

Drawing from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 data, the study analyzed responses from nearly 90,000 teachers and over 93,000 students across 19 countries, uncovering clear links between teacher satisfaction and student well-being. The study found that when teachers felt satisfied with their profession and work environment, students reported higher life satisfaction, more positive emotions, and lower negative emotions.

These findings are especially relevant within Philippine education, where teachers often navigate complex challenges, from resource limitations to large class sizes. This research suggests that supporting teacher well-being could have a transformative impact, enhancing student outcomes and improving the overall school environment in the Philippines.

To explore more of her work in Teaching and Teacher Education, visit her Google Scholar page for additional publications examining similar themes and their implications in education.

You may download the full paper [here].