Teacher Burnout: Two Case Studies

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to characterize the burnout of two teachers at a fundamental level. One aim is to present a portrait of the burnout condition, including its basic configuration and its phenomenological effects. A second aim is to depict and discuss how these teachers are psychologically and emotionally affected by their burnout condition.

The investigative instrument employed in the study consisted of audio-taped interviews featuring open-ended questions. These taped interviews were then subjected to extensive and detailed prosodic analysis of the subjects' "voice language," characteristics and their compulsive preoccupation with certain feelings and topics.

Results suggest that the basic personality of teachers can affect their satisfaction with teaching and that the burnout condition can develop over an extended period of time. There is some indication, moreover, that, viewed as offering an opportunity for growth, burnout experience can be seen as being beneficial.

It is recommended that prospective teachers make a genuine effort toward self-analysis in order to develop insight concerning their own suitability for the teaching profession.