Abstract

This capstone study investigates the mental health of private school teachers, focusing on how access to professional development resources and support systems influences their well-being. Grounded in Maslach and Jackson’s Burnout Theory, the research explores emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment as critical components of teacher burnout. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating pre- and post-surveys alongside a mental health presentation delivered to staff at a small Christian school in Minnesota. Of the 45 invited participants, 26 reported implementing new strategies—such as gratitude practices and emotional regulation—into their personal and professional lives. Findings reveal that while professional development can positively impact teacher well-being, many available mental health resources remain underutilized due to lack of awareness. The study underscores the need for intentional support systems, regular training, and improved communication of available benefits to better support educators and, by extension, their students.

Date Capstone Completed

4-2025

Document Type

Capstone Paper

Degree Name

Masters of Science in Leadership Education: Organizational Leadership

Department

Leadership Education

Advisor

Peter Johnson

Location

Winona, Minnesota

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.