Teachers’ appreciation and working conditions: a dialogue with those teaching in the early-years of elementary education

Abstract

This paper discusses teachers’ working conditions, seen as key to the appreciation of their work and to their professional fulfillment. It shows the findings of a research on the appreciation of teachers based on the testimonies of educators working in the early-years of elementary education. By intersecting the theoretical reference on the subject and the analysis of interviews with five teachers from the municipal system of education of one city in Minas Gerais, this study highlighted several elements related to teachers’ working conditions and to the complexity of the activities in their professional practice. Among other things, teachers’ salary, career plan, performance evaluation, and schools infrastructure have been set apart as important influencing factors for their well-being. The study also revealed that the failing state of some issues regarding working conditions may lead to teacher's drop-out and sickness, which indicates a need for policies to improve teachers' working conditions and health care.