Teachers in COVID-19 period: Psychological effects, practices and career needs

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine teachers' career needs and psychosocial experience during the COVID-19 pandemic within the phenomenological pattern of qualitative research methods. The data collection process included individual interviews and an online survey form. As a result of the research, four main themes were obtained. The first of these themes concerned the effects of the COVID-19 process on teachers. These effects were divided into both positive and negative effects. The second main theme focused on the needs of teachers. In this process, teachers felt the need for psychological support, in-service training and support for infrastructure. The third main theme was the professional life of teachers and school counselors. In this process, teachers and school counselors continued their education, teaching and support processes by adapting them to the online environment. The last main theme was the problems experienced in this process and the proposed solutions. Participants highlighted problems in this period, particularly the access of students to education. Recommendations were made as part of the research results to strengthen the educational training activities offered by teachers in the COVID-19 period.