{"id":2270,"date":"2025-09-14T23:14:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T23:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/?p=2270"},"modified":"2025-11-06T15:08:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T15:08:06","slug":"episode-79-sea-of-love-teacher-morale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/pedagogy\/episode-79-sea-of-love-teacher-morale\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 79: Sea of Love: Teacher Morale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Matt&#8217;s Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks for visiting the Ed non-Tech for our second episode of the season! We are continuing our discussion on morale in education, particularly for teachers! Please watch and\/or listen as per your preferences!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Ed non-Tech Podcast 79: Sea of Love: Teacher Morale\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LTe35lJjIuE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are as stoked as it gets to be back with the #ednontech!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EnT-79-audio-2.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s been an (audio) slice, if you must know! #ednontech<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"308\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Kh8KfW0.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2324\" style=\"width:732px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;ve spent a good deal of time as a teacher over nearly twenty years at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Education is an endeavor that both Doug and I have committed ourselves to, for me beginning in 2006 and perhaps even a bit longer ago for Doug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As I&#8217;ve described in our previous episode&#8217;s notes, I&#8217;m in a quandary when it comes to speaking about morale in education. Specifically I have to acknowledge that although I love being an educator, it may be the case that I&#8217;m not very good at it. I am, at this exact moment in time, suffering from a significant lack of self-efficacy. My self-confidence is at rock bottom. After all these years in various roles, professional development sessions and workshops, meetings, publications, and all other related activities, I am at the same professional level as a first-year teacher coming out of a B.Ed program. In fact, the hypothetical B.Ed grad is potentially a good deal ahead being absent a significant work history in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The past 42 months since leaving my last multi-year position have been humbling to say the least. At this point, I am hoping for stability. I&#8217;m hoping to find a role where I can pass the probationary period and settle in for the long-term. I&#8217;m hopeful of being able to sign a contract for work confidently, without the worry of layoffs. These are things anyone wants for their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So what can I do to stay professionally viable? Looking for a limited number of jobs and participating in any and all interviews that emerge from that process like back in September, 2022 when we first began this podcasting enterprise. This podcast lets me feel a sense of purpose through activities that are at least somewhat related to my chosen field. Writing about music, books, and technology at <a href=\"https:\/\/506matt.substack.com\/\">the 506 Report Substack<\/a> is part of it. Educational consulting has been part of it in the past, and may prove to be something going forward: English lessons offered through Zoom. Volunteer work with newcomers to Canada. Working on the Ed non-Tech book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of what value is an un-monetized educator? How do you try and ameliorate precarious professional and financial circumstances? Why should anyone listen to my views on teaching and learning, or e-learning, or anything else when I clearly struggle with navigating the professional spaces which determine if I have a paid position from which to practice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the kinds of questions which I&#8217;ve spent the summer trying to deal with as I do my best to remain positive in the face of a future I can only guess at. I know that there are many others in similar circumstances, or who would prefer to be in my circumstances rather than their own. I am grateful for colleagues who are willing to provide professional references, and to Doug for being on this Ed non-Tech journey with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that is what keeps me going at the moment. Any day you get to spend as a teacher or any other kind of educator in any capacity is, in fact, a major privilege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/giphy-1.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2313\" style=\"width:715px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1015\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-11-112808.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-11-112808.jpg 1015w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-11-112808-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-11-112808-768x425.jpg 768w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-11-112808-850x471.jpg 850w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1015px) 100vw, 1015px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Doug&#8217;s Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Teacher Morale<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4.png 1000w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4-300x93.png 300w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4-768x239.png 768w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-4-850x264.png 850w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Means Currently Available For The Encouragement Of Teacher Growth And Morale&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Salaries&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tenure&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ethics&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organizations&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supervision&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading along professional lines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summer schools&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Correspondence study&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extension courses&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Research and investigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Travel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participation in community affairs&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use of standard devices of measurement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunity to visit other teachers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Institutes and meetings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participation in administration and in planning policies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Printed aids&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognition for contributions to the school&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Occasional leaves of absence&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstration classes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Departmentalization&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>.Friendly conferences&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constructive criticism&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adequate supplies and equipment&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Well planned school buildings&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morrison, I. B. (1949). <em>An evaluation of means for promoting teacher growth and morale<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"832\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3.png 832w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-300x138.png 300w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-3-768x354.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;How does one compensate professionals for inadequate books and supplies, large classes, disruptive students, public criticism, limited assistance, increased duties, and the lowest salaries paid to highly educated personnel in the nation? How does one lead a group in which morale is so low that over 40 percent of survey respondents would not again select teaching as a profession and 57 percent are definitely planning to leave, will leave if something better comes along, or are undecided about staying?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parks, D. J. (1983). Leadership in Times of Austerity. <em>Educational leadership, 40<\/em>(5), 11-13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2283\" style=\"width:752px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png 560w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2-300x188.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teachers are being stretched to the limit. Expectations placed on them seem to be expanding exponentially. Increasingly their role encompasses not only teaching specific content and mentoring students in the love of learning, but functioning as frontline social workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lumsden, L. (1998). Teacher Morale. <em>ERIC Digest<\/em>, Number 120.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1.png 768w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1-300x180.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2026 that teacher morale is at an all time low in Australia with teachers feeling undervalued, frustrated, unappreciated and demoralized.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A decline over the past 30 years [currently 48 years] in the morale of teachers is identified within the literature, along with recognition of teaching having become an increasingly more demanding profession. The drop in morale has been accompanied by a shift in public attitude towards education and a suggestion that education in Australia is losing its place on \u2018the international comparison ladder\u2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mackenzie, N. (2007). Teacher morale: More complex than we think?. <em>The Australian Educational Researcher, 34<\/em>(1), 89-104.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"808\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1024x808.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1024x808.png 1024w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-300x237.png 300w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-768x606.png 768w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-850x671.png 850w, https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png 1054w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Historically, the research on teacher morale and its affect on student achievement has been positively correlated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>(The following is Doug experimenting with AI summaries.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Ugh, this is a skill I do not have much desire to improve upon)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The factors that impact teacher morale include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Intrinsic Factors:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Job security<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ability utilization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Variety in tasks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal activity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extrinsic Factors:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Compensation and salary negotiations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Authority and distribution of power<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Company policies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities for advancement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognition and respect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Politics and bargaining<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leadership and Administrative Practices:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leadership behaviors of school principals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities for teachers to participate in decision-making<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teacher praise and instructional leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for professional growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School Culture:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Positive school culture characterized by respect, shared decision-making, communication, and administrative support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inequities in power distribution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teacher workload and preparation time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Willis, M., &amp; Varner, L. (2010). Factors that affect teacher morale. <em>Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012), 8<\/em>(4), 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Word of the Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\">Morale<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Question of the Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\">How can the teaching profession continue without reaching a breaking point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phrase of the Podcast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\">Triple Ps: Panicked pandemic pivot<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/tumblr_9b697bdb6bcb7f7e1d15eb34cf73f8f8_c0c03b45_500.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2280\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Thanks for being part of this EnT! It wouldn&#8217;t be the same without you!<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The National - &quot;Sea Of Love&quot;\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yIWmRbHDhGw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>I see people on the floor<br>They slide into the sea<br>Can&#8217;t stay here anymore<br>We&#8217;re turning into fiends<br>If I stay here, trouble will find me<\/em> #ednontech<\/p>\n<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_1059\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-2270-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EnT-79-audio-2.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EnT-79-audio-2.mp3\">http:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EnT-79-audio-2.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EnT-79-audio-2.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/?powerpress_pinw=2270-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/EnT-79-audio-2.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"EnT-79-audio-2.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Matt&#8217;s Notes Thanks for visiting the Ed non-Tech for our second episode of the season! We are continuing our discussion on morale in education, particularly for teachers! Please watch and\/or listen as per your preferences! We are as stoked as it gets to be back with the #ednontech! It&#8217;s been an (audio) slice, if you&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[117,119,13,73,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-administrivia","category-morale","category-pedagogy","category-professionalism","category-workload"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2270"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2355,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270\/revisions\/2355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analogue-trope.ca\/podcast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}