She's supporting them.pdf (368.82 kB)
She’s supporting them; who’s supporting her? Preschool center-level social-emotional supports and teacher well-being
journal contribution
posted on 2018-01-18, 00:00 authored by Katherine M. Zinsser, Claire G. Christensen, Luz TorresPreschool teachers across the country have been charged to prepare children socially and
emotionally for kindergarten. Teachers working in preschool centers are supporting children’s
social and emotional learning (SEL) within a rich ecology of emotion and social relationships
and the present study considers how the supports implemented for children’s SEL at the centerlevel
are associated with teachers’ psychological health and workplace experiences. Hierarchical
linear models were constructed using data from the Head Start Family and Child Experiences
Survey 2009 cohort. Results indicate that although teachers work in individual classrooms, they
share common perceptions at the center-level of their workplace climate, access to support, and,
although to a lesser extent, experience commonalities in psychological health and job
satisfaction. Furthermore, in centers that had implemented more supports for children’s SEL
(including access to mental health consultants, classroom curriculum, and training and resources
for teachers) teachers were less depressed, more satisfied with their jobs, felt more supported in
managing challenging behavior, and viewed the workplace climate of their center as more
positive. Findings are discussed in light of the national efforts to increase and retain a highquality
early childhood workforce.