Elementary Teachers’ Challenges and Coping Strategies in the Radio-Based Instruction and Modular Distance Learning

Abstract

This study explored the coping strategies of the teachers in new normal education. The study used a qualitative transcendental phenomenology design to explore the coping strategies of teachers in the implementation of radio-based instruction and modular distance learning during the pandemic. The researchers interviewed ten teacher participants from the Division of Tangub City, Philippines. Following the phenomenological data analysis, categories emerged based from the interview transcripts. The coping strategies of teachers in the new normal are problem-focused and emotion-focused. The problem-focused coping strategies are problem-solving, time management, and social support. For emotion-focused coping, the sub-themes are reframing, having a positive attitude, and praying for guidance. Thus, teachers, regardless of their years of experience, have similar coping strategies to overcome challenges. The study also found the importance of the administrators’ role in developing training and webinars for the teachers’ psychological health to be efficient and effective in their work.