Faced with an increased workload and reduced
resources, teachers in Ireland are currently experiencing significant changes
in their working conditions. It is likely that these changes will place further
pressure on teachers in what has consistently been identified as a particularly
stressful occupation. This study explores how Irish teachers experience,
understand and cope with work-related stress. Focus groups were conducted with
20 second-level teachers from the greater Cork city area. Thematic analysis of
the data suggested that confrontations with parents, divisions among staff and
perceived unfair treatment by school management were seen as particularly
stressful. Classroom issues such as disruptive students and rising class sizes were
also identified as challenging. Age was an important factor, with younger
teachers describing the stress of attaining and keeping a job. Findings suggest
that teachers experience a variety of stressors – in class, in the staff room
and outside of school. Individual differences also appear to play an important
role.