TeachWell: Teacher Wellbeing as a Pathway to Quality Education

The Teacher Wellbeing as a Pathway to Quality Education (TeachWell) project investigates the important link between the wellbeing of teacher educators and the overall quality of education. The project aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). Building on an established collaboration between partner institutions in Austria and South Africa (University of Innsbruck and the University of Pretoria), the project examines how the wellbeing of teacher educators shapes the wider educational environment. Prof Ann-Kathrin Dittrich (UIBK) is the project leader and prof Irma Eloff (UP) is the principal investigator for South Africa.

Teacher educators are central to this research because they significantly influence the professional identity, pedagogical competence, and wellbeing of future teachers. Through their work, they indirectly shape the learning experiences and educational outcomes of countless students. Despite their critical role in preparing the next generation of teachers, the wellbeing of teacher educators remains an underexplored area in educational research.

The project adopts a mixed-methods design that combines qualitative interviews, phenomenological vignette research, and quantitative surveys. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pressures teacher educators face, the strategies they use to cope with these challenges, and the forms of institutional support that influence their professional lives.

A key outcome of the project is the development of a multiplier training programme focused on wellbeing. This programme will provide teacher educators with practical strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout. By empowering teacher educators, the initiative seeks to create a ripple effect that ultimately supports the wellbeing of future teachers and enhances the quality of education for their students.

For questions and further information, please contact: Ann-Kathrin.Dittrich@uibk.ac.at