Professional quality of life of educators during COVID-19: A mixed-methods inquiry

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges for educators and students. This article used a convergent mixed methods research design to evaluate the professional experiences of K-16 educators during the early time period of the global health emergency. The ProQOL 5 instrument was used to evaluate educators’ professional quality of life. Four open-ended questions were utilized to explore educators’ experiences and perceptions of the pandemic's impact on themselves and their students. Findings indicate that educators experienced increased stress levels, burnout, and secondary trauma. Students experienced instability and loss. Additional findings are discussed.