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Firefighters and Problem-Solvers: A Comparative Case Study of Elementary School Principals' Divergent Perspectives on Managing Stress

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Title: Firefighters and Problem-Solvers: A Comparative Case Study of Elementary School Principals' Divergent Perspectives on Managing Stress
Language: English
Authors: Trisha Miller (ORCID 0009-0001-3200-8942), Jamie Kudlats (ORCID 0000-0003-3629-8059), Christopher J. McCarthy (ORCID 0000-0001-6675-5818), Yijie Tian (ORCID 0009-0004-3062-484X), Richard G. Lambert (ORCID 0000-0002-5791-962X)
Source: European Journal of Educational Management. 2026 9(1):67-80.
Availability: Eurasian Society of Educational Research. 7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076. e-mail: publisher@eujem.com; Web site: https://www.eujem.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Elementary Schools, Principals, Stress Management, Administrator Attitudes, At Risk Persons, Work Environment, COVID-19, Pandemics, Elementary School Teachers, Administrator Role, Leadership Responsibility, Needs, Elementary School Students
ISSN: 2642-2344
Abstract: Quality principal leadership plays a critical role in shaping teacher working conditions and overall school climate, yet principals themselves experience considerable occupational stress. In the United States, ongoing systemic challenges compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated ongoing stressors and introduced novel stressors among school leaders. This comparative case study explored differences in elementary school principals' perceptions of occupational stress in schools with both higher and lower concentrations of teachers at risk for stress. Semi-structured interviews from six elementary school principals were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, and explored how principals in each context described stressors shaping their work experiences during the 2021-2022 school year. Findings revealed that while both groups of principals experienced significant occupational stressors during and after the pandemic, the type, intensity, and emotional impact of those stressors diverged significantly. Principals in schools with higher levels of teacher stress described high emotional demand from students and teachers, perceived lack of district support, and acute accountability pressures. Principals in schools with lower teacher stress identified more manageable challenges and a stronger sense of efficacy and collaboration. Implications for principal support, stress prevention, and equity in educational leadership are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504809
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Firefighters and Problem-Solvers: A Comparative Case Study of Elementary School Principals' Divergent Perspectives on Managing Stress
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Trisha+Miller%22">Trisha Miller</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3200-8942">0009-0001-3200-8942</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jamie+Kudlats%22">Jamie Kudlats</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3629-8059">0000-0003-3629-8059</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christopher+J%2E+McCarthy%22">Christopher J. McCarthy</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6675-5818">0000-0001-6675-5818</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yijie+Tian%22">Yijie Tian</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3062-484X">0009-0004-3062-484X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Richard+G%2E+Lambert%22">Richard G. Lambert</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5791-962X">0000-0002-5791-962X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Educational+Management%22"><i>European Journal of Educational Management</i></searchLink>. 2026 9(1):67-80.
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  Data: Eurasian Society of Educational Research. 7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076. e-mail: publisher@eujem.com; Web site: https://www.eujem.com/
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  Data: 14
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Schools%22">Elementary Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Principals%22">Principals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stress+Management%22">Stress Management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Attitudes%22">Administrator Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22At+Risk+Persons%22">At Risk Persons</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Environment%22">Work Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Role%22">Administrator Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Leadership+Responsibility%22">Leadership Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Needs%22">Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink>
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  Data: 2642-2344
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  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Quality principal leadership plays a critical role in shaping teacher working conditions and overall school climate, yet principals themselves experience considerable occupational stress. In the United States, ongoing systemic challenges compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated ongoing stressors and introduced novel stressors among school leaders. This comparative case study explored differences in elementary school principals' perceptions of occupational stress in schools with both higher and lower concentrations of teachers at risk for stress. Semi-structured interviews from six elementary school principals were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, and explored how principals in each context described stressors shaping their work experiences during the 2021-2022 school year. Findings revealed that while both groups of principals experienced significant occupational stressors during and after the pandemic, the type, intensity, and emotional impact of those stressors diverged significantly. Principals in schools with higher levels of teacher stress described high emotional demand from students and teachers, perceived lack of district support, and acute accountability pressures. Principals in schools with lower teacher stress identified more manageable challenges and a stronger sense of efficacy and collaboration. Implications for principal support, stress prevention, and equity in educational leadership are discussed.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1504809
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 67
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Principals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Stress Management
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      – SubjectFull: Administrator Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: At Risk Persons
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      – SubjectFull: Work Environment
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Administrator Role
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      – SubjectFull: Leadership Responsibility
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      – SubjectFull: Needs
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – TitleFull: Firefighters and Problem-Solvers: A Comparative Case Study of Elementary School Principals' Divergent Perspectives on Managing Stress
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