A Global Study of Workplace Happiness of International Teaching Staff Members

Abstract

An international teacher has a great impact on the direct teaching community, just as the community has a great impact on the teacher. This qualitative research study investigates the causes of workplace happiness for international teaching staff members and moments of immersed work activity, or flow, within their teaching experience. The study aims to encourage awareness and reflection on the part of the educational institution to take actions to support their international staff members better. This study used a grounded theory approach, conducted through one-on-one, face-to-face interviews, as well as an online survey. Contact with study participants was made through digital platforms through the internet. The participants came from serval different global regions where international schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) curriculums were found. Through the coding process, the researcher drew out four major themes concerning the definition of happiness, positive work environments, positive student to teacher relationships, and autonomy in the workplace. Value theory, an understanding that when an international teacher feels valued by their teaching community, it encourages feelings of workplace happiness, emerged from these themes through the voice of participants. The study results led to recommendations by the researcher as to how international school institutions can better support international teacher staff members.%%%%Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management – Drexel University, 2019