Teacher Empowerment, Job Satisfaction and Retention

Authors

  • Maria Fleurdelis O. Calidguid Master of Arts in Education, Major in Administration and Supervision, Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsis.V1.I3.228

Keywords:

Bohol Association of Catholic Schools, Job Satisfaction, Professional Development, School Governance, Teacher Empowerment, Teacher Retention, Working Conditions

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among teacher empowerment, job satisfaction, and retention among 117 secondary school teachers from 10 private sectarian schools belonging to the first district of the Bohol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS), Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines. Anchored on the participative philosophy of Short and Rinehart, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and Sher's societal model of teacher retention, the study employed a descriptive-correlational research design. Data were collected using the School Participant Empowerment Scale, Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, and a researcher-developed retention questionnaire. Frequency counts, percentages, weighted means, and Pearson product-moment correlation were used for data analysis. Findings revealed generally favorable levels of teacher empowerment (M = 3.72) and job satisfaction (M = 3.82). Professional status (M = 4.04) and responsibility (M = 4.33) received the highest ratings, while decision making (M = 3.28) and pay (M = 3.23) emerged as areas requiring improvement. Retention was associated with personal career choice, professional preparation, supportive administrative relationships, and reasonable compensation. Significant positive relationships were established between teacher empowerment and job satisfaction (r = 0.495) and between teacher empowerment and retention (r = 0.436). The study concludes that empowering institutional environments are associated with greater professional satisfaction and teacher retention. It recommends strengthening participatory decision making, professional development, stakeholder collaboration, and teacher empowerment initiatives. The findings align with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by addressing teacher development, workplace conditions, and employment stability. The study contributes to institutional sustainability by providing evidence to guide supportive school governance, workforce stability, and continuity in educational service delivery.

References

Baker, R., Hill, J., Portwood, B., Smith-Harrah, E., & Hall Sutherland, D. (2022). One size does not fit all: How leadership strategies affect teacher satisfaction and retention. Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, 25(4), 378–393. https://doi.org/10.1177/15554589221120776 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15554589221120776

Borrego, Y., Orgambídez, A., & Mora-Jaureguialde, B. (2023). Empowerment and job satisfaction in university teachers: A theory of power in educational organizations. Psychology in the Schools, 60(3), 843–854. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22790 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22790

Fradkin-Hayslip, A. (2021). Teacher autonomy, motivation, and job satisfaction: Perceptions of elementary school teachers according to self-determination theory. Elementary Education Online, 20(2), 198–205. https://doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2021.02.25 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2021.02.25

Gillani, A., Dierst-Davies, R., Lee, S., Robin, L., Li, J., Glover-Kudon, R., Baker, K., & Whitton, A. (2022). Teachers’ dissatisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic: Factors contributing to a desire to leave the profession. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 940718. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940718 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940718

Herzberg, F. (2003). One more time: How do you motivate employees? Harvard Business Review.

Jerrim, J. (2024). Are satisfied teachers better teachers? International evidence from the TALIS video study. Teaching and Teacher Education, 148, Article 104687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104687 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104687

Li, R., & Yao, M. (2022). What promotes teachers’ turnover intention? Evidence from a meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 37, Article 100477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100477 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100477

Lightfoot, S. L. (1986). On the goodness of schools: Themes of empowerment. Peabody Journal of Education, 63(3), 9–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01619568609538522

Liu, S., Keeley, J. W., Sui, Y., & Sang, L. (2021). Impact of distributed leadership on teacher job satisfaction in China: The mediating roles of teacher autonomy and teacher collaboration. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 71, Article 101099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2021.101099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2021.101099

Madigan, D. J., & Kim, L. E. (2021). Towards an understanding of teacher attrition: A meta-analysis of burnout, job satisfaction, and teachers’ intentions to quit. Teaching and Teacher Education, 105, Article 103425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103425

Maeroff, G. (1988). The empowerment of teachers: Overcoming the crisis of confidence. Teachers College Press.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2025). Results from TALIS 2024: The state of teaching. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/90df6235-en DOI: https://doi.org/10.1787/90df6235-en

Peng, Y., Wu, H., & Guo, C. (2022). The relationship between teacher autonomy and mental health in primary and secondary school teachers: The chain-mediating role of teaching efficacy and job satisfaction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), Article 15021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215021

Sher, J. P. (1983). Education's ugly duckling: Rural schools in urban nations. Phi Delta Kappan.

Short, P. M. (1992). Dimensions of teacher empowerment. Pennsylvania State University, Program in Educational Administration.

Short, P. M., & Greer, J. T. (1997). Leadership in empowered schools: Themes from innovative efforts. Merrill.

Short, P. M., & Rinehart, J. S. (1992). School participant empowerment scale: Assessment of level of empowerment within the school environment. Educational and Psychological Measurement. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/t07600-000

Skaalvik, E. M., & Skaalvik, S. (2021). Collective teacher culture: Exploring an elusive construct and its relations with teacher autonomy, belonging, and job satisfaction. Social Psychology of Education, 24, 1389–1406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-021-09673-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-021-09673-4

UNESCO & International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030. (2024). Global report on teachers: Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-report-teachers-addressing-teacher-shortages-and-transforming-profession

Wartenberg, G., Aldrup, K., Grund, S., & Klusmann, U. (2023). Satisfied and high performing? A meta-analysis and systematic review of the correlates of teachers’ job satisfaction. Educational Psychology Review, 35, Article 114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09831-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09831-4

Downloads

Published

2026-10-26

How to Cite

Calidguid, M. F. O. (2026). Teacher Empowerment, Job Satisfaction and Retention. International Journal of Sustainable and Integrated Studies, 1(3), 860-867. https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsis.V1.I3.228

Similar Articles

21-30 of 222

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.