Spirituality, Job Satisfaction, and Job Performance among Teachers of Children with Special Needs

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Education in the Philippines is challenged by the complexities of the teaching and learning process. Both General and Special Education face adversaries that make their everyday task as teachers for children with special needs (CSN) challenging. However, very little is said about how spirituality affects the challenging role and stressful task of GenEd and SpEd teachers who are handling CSN. Hence, this study aimed at finding out the influence, if any, of spirituality to job satisfaction and job performance of teachers of children with special needs (CSN). It explored the spirituality of Special Education and General Education teachers who handle CSN. It also examined its influence on their job satisfaction and job performance.

METHODS

The spiritual profile, job satisfaction level, and job performance level of 44 teachers for CSN were obtained. Job satisfaction level was obtained through the use of an adapted questionnaire while a researcher-made questionnaire was used to measure their levels job performance level which was answered by their School Head. The job performance of SpEd and GenEd teachers and how they are affected by spirituality were looked at. Their job satisfaction and spirituality were related in terms of job design/role clarity, administrative support, collegial support, student factor, work conditions, teacher training, and salary incentives. Focus group discussion was conducted to find out the influence of spirituality on their job satisfaction and job performance.

RESULTS

Based on the findings, it can be concluded that spirituality is the core and foundation of the participants' being the teachers for CSN. Their concerns and issues about the performance of their job arose during the FGD did not reflect in the questionnaires that they answered. This can be attributed to their belief to be nice and courteous because it may affect the integrity of the institution where they belong. Interestingly, it was revealed from this study that the participants' spirituality influences their job satisfaction and job performance. They work, stay, and look forward to performing their job every day amidst all challenges it brings because of their deep faith and trust to a higher being. They consider Him as the guiding force that supports and teach them the what, why and how of their job.

DISCUSSIONS

This study helps in filling in the gap in the literature of spirituality and its influence on job satisfaction and performance. Importantly, the result of this study may be of help for teachers of CSN, parents of CSN, administrators, curriculum writers, other professionals, and the CSN. Knowing that spirituality greatly impacts teachers for CSN's job satisfaction and performance, administrators and curriculum writers can proactively design training and activities that would somehow cultivate spirituality and all that it entails.