Understanding teacher wellbeing: Conceptualisations and the role of trust

Teachers shape students’ educational outcomes and futures, but research shows increasing pressures and workloads are taking a toll on their wellbeing and effectiveness. This thesis investigated alternative ways to understand teacher wellbeing and examined the role of trust. Findings show that trust is fundamental to teacher wellbeing and efforts to support teachers must consider the dynamic interactions between individual experiences, relationships, and school environments. The findings provide practical insights for guiding policies and programs to support teachers, with the potential to improve student outcomes and address national priorities aimed at safeguarding the teaching workforce.