Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences) ›› 2023, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (9): 38-55.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2023.09.003

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“Thriving” or “Retreating”: A Qualitative Study on Chinese Rural Teachers’ Workload and Job Crafting Mechanism

Qiong Li1,2, Yiwen Lin1, Qing Wang1,3, Songli Wang1   

  1. 1. Center for Teacher Education Research of Beijing Normal University, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences for Universities, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100875, China
    2. Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability People’s Government of Qinghai Province & Beijing Normal University, Xining 810008, China
    3. Center for Faculty Development, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810016, China
  • Accepted:2023-03-06 Online:2023-09-01 Published:2023-08-28

Abstract:

Drawing upon the job demand-resource model, this study investigated rural teachers’ workload and job crafting mechanisms through interviewing 16 rural teachers in hard-to-staff schools in remote underdeveloped areas in China. The results indicated that rural teachers were confronted with challenges such as long working hours, teaching multiple subjects, out-of-field teaching and dealing with administrative works. Although rural teachers faced unique challenges, they could utilize different job crafting strategies in different conditions to redesign their jobs. The study has revealed the intricate nature of rural teachers’ workload and how rural teachers’ crafting strategies can change their jobs and lead to different outcomes.

Key words: rural teachers, work time, workload, job demand--resource model, job crafting