UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONAL BURNOUT AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS
Keywords:
Special Education, Emotional Burnout, Inclusive Classrooms, Descriptive-Correlational Method, Borbon, CebuAbstract
Inclusive education is an educational reform that promotes equal learning opportunities for all learners, including those with diverse needs and disabilities. This study determined the extent of emotional burnout among elementary teachers in inclusive classrooms in Borbon District, Borbon, Cebu, during School Year 2025–2026, as the basis for an action plan. It examined the respondents’ profiles; the extent of emotional burnout in terms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment; the significant relationship between profile variables and emotional burnout; and the coping best practices used by the teachers. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 50 respondents selected through purposive-convenience sampling and utilized a questionnaire adapted from Shaheen and Mahmood (2018). Data were analyzed using frequency, simple percentage, weighted mean, and the Pearson product-moment correlation (r). The respondents were mostly middle-aged female teachers with graduate-level education, relevant training, and considerable teaching experience, and most specialized in Special Education. The teachers experienced a moderate level of emotional exhaustion, a high level of depersonalization, and a high level of personal accomplishment in inclusive classrooms. Significant relationships were found between emotional burnout and age, highest educational attainment, relevant training and seminars attended, and length of teaching experience, whereas sex and specialization showed no significant relationship. The teachers commonly used positive coping strategies, such as maintaining optimism, problem-solving, and seeking collegial support, all of which were rated at a high level. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends the development and implementation of an action plan.
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