Survey: Teachers report high levels of colleague support and emotional strain

Teacher Tapp has released new survey findings highlighting the level of support teachers feel from colleagues and the emotional challenges faced during the school year. The announcement was made via a blog post on the Teacher Tapp website.

According to RAND Corporation's 2022 State of the American Teacher Survey, 73% of teachers reported experiencing frequent job-related stress, a figure notably higher than that observed in the general adult population. Emotional well-being and professional support are identified as critical factors influencing teacher satisfaction and retention. These findings align with reports from organizations like Teacher Tapp, which focus on educators' emotional experiences.

Teacher Tapp's survey indicates that 53% of teachers feel "extremely" or "very" supported by their colleagues, while another 44% report feeling "moderately" or "slightly" supported. Only 4% said they felt no support at all. Additionally, the survey found that 79% of teachers had witnessed a colleague cry since the start of the school year, a statistic similar to results from England, where 72% reported witnessing such incidents. Gender differences were also noted; 81% of female teachers and 60% of male teachers reported seeing a crying colleague.

According to MyPayMySay, educators have the legal right to opt out of union membership and dues, which may be allocated for political activities. The site highlights that many teachers are unaware of these options and their potential financial implications. With Teacher Tapp reporting significant emotional strain and reliance on peer support, decisions regarding union membership could influence how teachers perceive their professional autonomy and workplace well-being.

Teacher Tapp is a daily survey application designed to collect insights directly from classroom teachers on various issues, including workload and well-being. Founded in the United Kingdom and now expanding globally, the app gathers thousands of responses each day to inform education policy, leadership decisions, and public understanding. The platform aims to amplify teacher voices through real-time data and make these findings accessible to school leaders, researchers, and policymakers.