Meanings of Work and Workplace: Attributes of Teacher Spirituality in Public Schools

Abstract

Filipino public-school teachers in the Basic Education curriculum are overburdened with workloads at school due to large student-to-teacher ratio and extended work schedules. This situation leaves public school teachers vulnerable psychologically and physically to challenging conditions of work. How do teachers live in this challenging context? And how do they make sense of this work challenge spiritually? The present study describes the attributes of teacher spirituality from the meanings they attach to work and workplaces in the Basic Education curriculum in Benguet, Northern Philippines. Qualitative data is culled from teacher reflections provided in a workshop on teacher spirituality and content is analyzed to draw the qualitative attributes of teacher spirituality. Implications of these spiritual attributes are discussed given the challenges of the Philippine Public school system.