Developing Resilience and Enhancing Appraisals of Mattering: A Conceptual Framework for Elementary Level, Non-core Subject Teachers

Although much is known about teachers’ workplace experiences, lives, and careers through socialization research, few efforts have been made to apply this body of knowledge to develop conceptual frameworks to guide research and practice. Grounded in role socialization theory, the purpose of this paper is to propose the Developing Resilience and Enhancing Appraisals of Mattering conceptual framework. This framework focuses on developing four interconnected socioemotional skills among elementary level, non-core subject teachers. Key skills include: (a) emotional regulation and display, (b) caring and listening, (c) relationship building, and (d) advocacy. Ultimately, developing these socioemotional skills can help increase teachers’ resilience and the perception that they and the subject they teach matter. Both theoretical grounding and practical application of the conceptual framework are provided as well as recommendations for research and practice. Applications relative to teacher education and continuing professional development are addressed.