A Study on the Work-Life Balance of Special Education Teachers

Öz

This study investigates how special education teachers maintain work-life balance. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, semi-structured inter-views were conducted with 15 special education teachers from institutions in Alanya, Antalya. The findings reveal significant challenges faced by these teachers in achieving a work-life balance. Due to the demanding nature of their roles, they often find it difficult to balance professional responsibilities with personal obligations. Particularly, early-career teachers struggle more with heavy workloads and stress, while experienced teachers develop stra-tegies over time to manage this balance better. Married teachers and those with children report greater difficulties compared to their single colleagues, often citing family responsibilities as a major factor. The study suggests imp-lementing support mechanisms, such as providing teaching assistants, en-couraging task-sharing, and offering psychosocial support services, to alle-viate the burden on special education teachers. These measures are expected to enhance job satisfaction and overall quality of life. Ultimately, the fin-dings highlight the need for institutional policies aimed at improving work-life balance through flexible working arrangements, professional develop-ment opportunities, and consistent feedback systems. By addressing these issues, organizations can foster a healthier work environment and better support the well-being of special education teachers.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Work-life balance
• special education
• teachers
• qualitative research
• workload

Özel Eğitim Öğretmenlerinin İş -Yaşam Dengesi Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Öz

Bu çalışma, özel eğitim öğretmenlerinin iş-yaşam dengesini nasıl sağla-dığını incelemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılmış ve Antalya’nın Alanya ilçesindeki özel eğitim kurumla-rında görev yapan 15 öğretmenle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmış-tır. Bulgular, özel eğitim öğretmenlerinin iş-yaşam dengesi sağlamada ciddi zorluklarla karşılaştığını göstermektedir. Öğretmenler, özel gereksinimli öğ-rencilerin ihtiyaçlarına cevap verebilmek için ekstra çaba harcadıklarını ve bu durumun iş yüklerini artırdığını belirtmişlerdir. Özellikle kariyerlerinin başındaki öğretmenler, yoğun iş yükü ve stres nedeniyle dengeyi kurmada daha fazla zorlandıklarını ifade ederken; deneyimli öğretmenlerin zamanla stratejiler geliştirdiği ve denge sağlamada daha başarılı olduğu gözlemlen-miştir. Ayrıca, evli ve çocuk sahibi öğretmenlerin iş-yaşam dengesi kurma konusunda bekar meslektaşlarına göre daha fazla zorluk yaşadıkları ortaya çıkmıştır. Araştırmada, öğretmenlerin iş yükünü hafifletmek amacıyla des-tek personeli sağlanması, görev paylaşımının teşvik edilmesi ve öğretmenle-re psikososyal destek hizmetlerinin sunulması önerilmektedir. Bu tür destek-lerin, öğretmenlerin mesleki tatminini ve genel yaşam kalitesini artıracağı düşünülmektedir. Sonuç olarak, özel eğitim öğretmenlerinin iş-yaşam den-gesi sağlama sürecinde karşılaştıkları sorunların çözümü için kurumsal poli-tikaların geliştirilmesi, esnek çalışma düzenlemeleri ve düzenli geri bildirim mekanizmaları önem arz etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İş-yaşam dengesi
• özel eğitim
• öğretmenler
• nitel araştırma
• iş yükü

Kaynakça

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