Factors which affect job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among male K-6 teachers in the Knox County, Tennessee, school system

The purpose of this study was to determine those job-related factors which caused the most satisfaction and dissatisfaction among males employed as K-6 teachers in the Knox County, Tennessee, School System. In addition, a comparison was made to discover if those factors identified as major sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction by males planning to remain as classroom teachers were similar to those identified by the men who were either considering a career change or undecided about their future plans.

A questionnaire was used for collecting the desired data. Slightly over 7l percent of the males in the total population group responded.

The most commonly agreed upon sources of satisfaction pertained to benefits derived from being in direct contact with children and from the numerous breaks which characterize the school year. The major source of dissatisfaction was salary; with paper work, stress, the number of male K-6 teachers, advancement opportunities, and fringe benefits also ranking high.

The most obvious difference between the responses of the men planning to remain as teachers and those who were either considering a career change or undecided about their futures was in the number of items that members of the latter group indicated were major sources of dissatisfaction. Additionally, these men rated several other factors considerably less favorably than did those men planning to remain in the classrooms.

Many studies reported the importance of employing males as K-6 teachers. Steps will need to be taken to publicize those factors identified as sources of satisfaction and to alleviate those considered to be dissatisfying if large numbers of males are to be attracted to teaching at this level.