Work/Life: elementary visual art teachers talk about their workplace conditions.

Abstract

While other issues pertaining to education are well discussed, there is little written or discussed about the working conditions of visual art teachers at the elementary school level. Working conditions have not been considered a worthwhile issue even though workplace conditions are a factor in teacher attrition. By illuminating the work life of the elementary visual art teacher (a small segment of the teaching population), this study seeks to focus on the people who are dedicated to art education at elementary level. This qualitative study examines the under-researched area of the work life of elementary visual art teachers. It addresses this question: What are the working conditions, job satisfaction and morale of elementary visual arts teachers? Three of the areas that affect teacher working conditions are examined in interviews of elementary visual art teachers: participation in decision making, teacher efficacy, and essential resources. Seventeen teachers, representing urban and suburban settings and a range of experiences, related their frustrations, hopes, and insights about their workplaces.