YPIE Scientist: Chloe Cumberbatch

Research: Effects of teacher burnout on student engagement

Research Location: Yonkers Middle High School

Awards: WESEF 2025 participant

Abstract:

Every year, in the United States alone, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school. This issue is caused by a number of factors, including failing classes in school due to a lack of understanding of the material being taught. Many teachers can have their moods affected outside of the classroom, affecting their performance educating pupils. This can cause students to misunderstand the materials being taught and begin to disengage from the discussions in class. The purpose of the study is to determine how teacher burnout can alter student engagement in classroom settings. In this study, six teachers from the same high school who teach varying subjects, submitted surveys weekly for eight weeks to determine their burnout and student engagement levels. One survey pertained to their teacher burnout levels, while the other consisted of questions regarding student engagement in their classrooms. The results demonstrated that as teacher burnout levels increased, student engagement decreased, with Pearson’s correlation equating to -0.610. Of the subjects that were included in the study, History had the highest student engagement levels and the lowest teacher burnout, while English had the opposite results. The longitudinal teacher burnout and student engagement levels did not show a meaningful correlation, which demonstrates that time did not play a large role in their values. Understanding how teacher burnout affects student engagement is an important component in terms of improving student outcomes and decreasing dropout rates. High teacher burnout levels have negative effects on student engagement in classrooms (r =0.61) and there is not a significant relationship between time and student engagement (r =0.24) or teacher burnout (r =0.0697).

About this Scientist:   

Chloe Cumberbatch is a junior who is currently on track to receive an IB Diploma at Yonkers High School. She plans on attending college to pursue a career of law to help provide justice for the public. After college she intends to work to ensure these aspirations come to fruition.

Presentation Slides