Paradigm Shift in Teaching: The Plight of Teachers, Coping Mechanisms and Productivity in the New Normal as Basis for Psychosocial Support

This research study described the challenges and stressors of teachers in the new normal education and how they cope with it; their productivity is based on a self-assessment and psychosocial program that supports teachers in the new normal. Twenty public elementary school teachers from the District of Cuartero, Schools Division of Capiz were the informants of this study. The researcher used inclusion and exclusion criteria in identifying the informants. The researcher used a phenomenological qualitative research design and a researcher-made interview guide for in-depth interviews as research instruments. The researcher conducted face-to-face, through phone calls and  used other communication platforms for interviews in data gathering, after which the responses were transcribed, thematized, coded, and analyzed thru thematic analysis as data procedure. The challenges and stressors of teachers in the new normal are more on coping with the current situation, difficulty coping with students, the challenge in assessment/evaluation, overwork/overload, lack of resources, home visitations, learning difficulties, module preparations, and teaching parents to teach, adapting to technology, non-supportive parents, boredom, loneliness, and poor internet connectivity. In terms of coping mechanisms, teachers set priorities, reconnect with others, do wise time management, and ask for help. They always find ways to improve and be productive. Teachers also want to be provided with materials and resources, trained on mental health programs, connect with nature, implement shared and balanced responsibilities, and have additional manpower. Two major themes emerged in teachers' productivity in the new normal based on self-assessment in this study. Some teachers were dissatisfied because they base their productivity on pupils' progress, and some were highly satisfied due to the fact that they have given their best and gone the extra mile to deliver their goods resiliently. Provision of resources, wellness programs, and innovation were the major themes that emerged when psychosocial programs for teachers' support in the new normal were being discussed. Based on teachers' suggestions on psychosocial support programs, the researcher made a training plan on psychosocial wellness for teachers as an output of this study.