Dissertation Defense Announcement Ed.D. Program: Quincey Schenck “Experiences of K-8 Self-Contained Teachers: A Qualitative Study”

This qualitative interview study elevates the voices of K–8 self-contained classroom teachers. The study explores how self-contained teachers describe their roles and responsibilities, the support they receive, and the challenges they face when teaching in self-contained classrooms. The findings inform school personnel about how best to support self-contained teachers by illuminating the complexity of their responsibilities. Additionally, the study highlights factors influencing teachers’ intent to remain in their current schools or in the profession.

This study employed a constructivist grounded theory design using semi-structured interviews with 15 self-contained teachers. Fifteen certified Teachers of Students with Disabilities currently working in self-contained classrooms participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, with constant comparative analysis guiding category development. Three primary challenges emerged: teacher burnout, lack of curriculum and resources, and complex student behavioral needs. Three essential forms of support were also identified: administrative support, collegial support, and instructional collaboration with related service providers and paraprofessionals.

Findings suggest that self-contained teachers experience sustained workload intensity shaped by structural conditions within schools, including limited curriculum infrastructure, inconsistent training, and professional isolation. Implications emphasize the need for intentional administrative preparation, structured paraprofessional training, dedicated collaboration systems, and district-level investment in curriculum and behavioral supports. By centering teachers’ lived experiences, this study contributes to the literature on special education working conditions and offers recommendations to strengthen teacher sustainability and retention in self-contained settings.