Date of Award

Fall 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Educational Studies

Director of Thesis

Dr. Suzy Hardie

Second Reader

Angela Adams

Abstract

Teacher shortages are a widespread issue within both the United States and South Carolina. One cause of high numbers of teachers leaving their positions is low job-satisfaction and high stress levels. In this study of teacher mental health in South Carolina, eight teachers were interviewed regarding their experience with job-related stress and support offered to them. The interviews revealed that teachers experience high levels of stress, with many interviewees having stressors in common. Many participants had at least one experience in which stressors pushed them to leave or almost leave their position, showing the importance of mental health when considering teacher retention. A theme across interviews was the importance of administration, specifically administrative styles and their effects on school culture. From these interviews, it was concluded that teachers’ mental health being supported, specifically by administrators and the school culture they create, could positively impact retention. Formal supports such as professional developments were also discussed, but none were emphasized as much as the importance of supportive administrators, leading to the conclusion that the role of administrators in the wellbeing of teachers should be researched and emphasized more in order to improve the teaching experience for teachers in South Carolina and elsewhere.

First Page

1

Last Page

63

Rights

© 2025, Olivia Striedl

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