Abstract:
This research study examines the individual's experiences of fears and worries, coping and the support they need. It presents the different experiences relevant to personal, professional, physiological, psychological, and career experiences of an individual as they faced the new normal. This concentrated on the Fears and Worries experienced by the Teachers in the New Normal in education due to Covid-19 Pandemic and aimed to know the experiences of teachers about their fears and worries, how did they handle it, and how did they ensure that those fears and worries will not affect their work as a teacher. Fears and Worries are some of the factors that affect the emotional well-being of a human. They both can mean to be very concerned about someone or something. When a person worries, they are thinking about their problems or fears, so it could be said that they fear their problems. A person is scared because they worry something bad will happen. Both 'fear' and 'worry' are related to negative feelings that need to address. This study will be limited to 70 teachers of Southville 8C Elementary School Academic Year 2020-2021 to know the fears and worries experienced by teachers in the new normal: Basis for Program Intervention. Researcher utilized Purposive sampling technique in which researcher relies on own judgment when choosing members of population to participate in the study. A qualitative and quantitative method particularly Transcendental Phenomenology type of research. Transcendental phenomenology brings added dimensions to the study of human experiences through qualitative research. The data gathered through the research made questionnaires through done in the google form and link sent to the respondents via Facebook Messenger with the permission of principal and ensure the data privacy to participants. In analysing and interpreting the data, the data was gathered and statistically using weighted mean and thematic coding to identify the fears and worries experienced by the teachers. The research results indicate that the new normal educational setting developed feelings of concerns on personal and family's health, self-doubt, questions on professional competency, feeling of uncertainty and being unprepared are their significant experiences. However, even with fears and worries, the teachers significantly adapted with the new normal as shown in their coping practices. Results revealed that fears assessed by the teachers in terms of personal and family health were rated at very high extent having the overall mean of 4.64. It implied that the fears in personal and family health of the teachers in new normal is very high extent. The extent of fears in terms of work effectiveness at high extent with the overall mean of 3.86 respectively. It further showed that four items were assessed at very high extent by the teachers. It implied that the fears in personal and family health of the teachers in new normal is very high extent. All the participants feared for the health and safety of themselves and their loved ones amidst the pandemic. Teachers also developed issues within themselves like professional unpreparedness in the new normal. Adding to this, their less than average knowledge in technology made them feel insecure in the new mode of teaching. The other fears that the participants encountered is the fear that other people might give them the disease, fear to lose their jobs, and because of this too much fear towards the new normal, the participants experienced physiological issues which is quite normal considering that corona virus is an unexpected phenomenon. Thus, Personal and Family's safety is the primary fear followed by Work Effectiveness, Lack of technology training as well Psychological and Physiological related fears of the participants. Results showed that the teachers assessed the extent of worries in personal safety and mental health at very high extent as seen in means of overall mean 4.55, respectively and for the worries effectiveness and management of learning teachers assessed with overall mean of 4.69 at very high extent. It further showed that the worries in personal safety and mental health were assessed at high and very high extent. It implied that the teachers are worried about their safety and mental health. Due to the Covid19, teachers became worried for themselves, their family's and students' safety. They also worry about their job and performance as an educator, thoughts and feelings of being ineffective, unskilled, and not enough linger through their heads. Also, majority of the participants worry on the adjustments of the learners and parents in the new normal in education. Consequently, Personal and family's safety, mental health and relevant to profession and work are their major worries. Moreover, personal effectiveness and management of learning were noted. Teachers have variety of ways in handling their fears. This includes keeping self-awareness and improving their faith are primary coping styles they made. Moreover, intentional self-care through consulting medical experts, healthy lifestyle and following the protocols became their new habit. They learned to divert their fears by staying positive and enjoying some recreational activities like gardening which are considered therapeutic in nature and hobbies like gardening, being productive, and balancing work and life amid the global crisis. Hence, keeping self-awareness, addressing medical health needs are the ultimate coping styles. Other ways of coping include being positive and having some diversions. Self-motivation, staying safe, positive mindset and having a support system are essential for the teachers to cope up with the new normal. Connecting with their loved ones in person or social media is proven effective coping style. Therefore, Self-motivation and being positive and good psycho- social support are the main concluded coping style to handle worries. Secondary coping includes following protocols. Lastly for the support needed the participants commonly requested for laptop to be use in teaching and making other school matters and requested smart phone for the students who doesn't have to be use in learning and for education purposes. Lastly teachers requested for a transportation allowance during home visitation. Recommendation teachers must be aware of the implications of the fears and worries to their personal and professional life. Cognitive processing must always take in consideration in handling fears, worries and life challenges so adapt better in dealing with them. Family and support system must be available and must be intentional to strengthen the teacher's emotion and motivation, Capacity Building, Psychological First Aid, Mental Health and Psycho-social services as well as securing the safety of teachers and learners must be the top priorities of the heads and agencies in keeping a stable and managed emotion. It is recommended that further studies must be made by other students to supplement the research findings. The results are recommended to be utilized by respective Schools, Government Unit and DepEd as basis in implementing intervention programs. New Normal in education in our present situations is hard but as a frontliner of education who could bring quality education to the young learners. Teachers should be positive to SULONG EDUKALIDAD for the Rizali?o is our top priority. The results of this research will use to plan an intervention for the teachers to help them deal fears and worries in new normal education. Dissemination of this research are as follows presented the study during online training LAC, presents the results in school via online LAC session, present the study to the district, prepare action proposal / devise an intervention program and lastly conduct the intervention.
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