The Head Start teacher paradox: Working conditions, whole well-being, and classroom quality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine Head Start (HS) teachers’ characteristics, working conditions, whole well-being, and classroom quality and their associations compared to other (non-HS) ECE teachers. The study collected survey and direct assessment data on a range of working conditions and whole well-being (physical, psychological, and professional well-being) from 262 teachers (112 HS teachers and 150 ECE teachers, including private child care and public pre-K teachers). Additionally, we used emotional/behavioral and instructional supports among 83 teachers in their classrooms. Our findings from the propensity score analysis revealed that HS teachers are better educated, have better resources in general, and provide higher classroom quality, but they have more job demands, are less likely to have daily breaks, and have overall poorer whole teacher well-being, which was unexpected and paradoxical. Job demands, well-being resources, and a high-quality physical environment were all significant predictors of teacher well-being. We also found that some resources (i.e., well-being resources, physical environmental quality) served as moderators, either buffering the negative impact of physical job demands or having a combined, synergizing effect in fostering teacher well-being. Finally, teachers’ job demands and whole well-being were found to predict classroom quality. The study highlights the unique strengths, needs, and challenges of HS teachers and offers insights into optimizing working conditions to promote their well-being, which may also help improve classroom quality.