Teaching science in the primary school: surveying teacher wellbeing and planning for survival

Abstract

A teacher-researcher in a primary school setting surveyed the middle years' teachers of her school and those in the local science hub group, to determine their confidence and satisfaction levels in relation to teaching science. Her results confirm feelings of inadequacy and reluctance to teach Science, but also indicate ways that schools can consider the wellbeing of middle years' teachers. In the context of the introduction of the Australian curriculum and the demands for standard achievement levels, the author suggests actions to assist middle school science teacher wellbeing.