Exploring the Self-Perceived Needs of School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers

Kayla N. Marsh; Christopher J. Eck; Kevin Dale Layfield; Joseph L. Donaldson

doi:10.5032/jae.v66i1.2467

Authors

Kayla N. Marsh Oklahoma State University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3574-1936
Christopher J. Eck Oklahoma State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1645-3632
K. Dale Layfield Clemson University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1487-6922
Joseph L. Donaldson North Carolina State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9276-3747

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v66i1.2467

Keywords:

The conceptual model of support for SBAE teachers, human needs, health and wellness of SBAE teachers, student human capital development, support structures, resources for success

Abstract

Teacher attrition is a historic problem that is now an educational crisis. School-based agricultural education (SBAE) is not exempt from this crisis, with teacher shortages dating back to the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act. For the past three decades, researchers have studied this phenomenon to better understand the needs of SBAE teachers to increase recruitment and retention. While several needs are recurring, current efforts are not resulting in actionable change for SBAE teachers. To gain new perspectives, qualitative interviews were conducted with SBAE teachers in three states, focused on their perceived needs. The Conceptual Model of Support for SBAE Teachers was introduced as a potential lens to meet the human needs of SBAE teachers and depth to direct actionable change for in-service SBAE teachers. Four overarching themes were found through qualitative interviews, including health and wellness of SBAE teachers, students, and communities; supports structures for SBAE teachers; student human capital development; and resources for SBAE teacher success, confirming that teachers’ basic human needs for security and subsistence are prevalent within the profession. Resulting in recommendations to change the perspective for addressing SBAE teachers' needs.

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References

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