Rethinking Teacher Preparation Through Nine Dimensions of Well-Being

Abstract

Over the last few decades, teacher retention and well-being have become increasingly important concerns in Canadian education. According to the Canadian Teachers’ Federation’s 2025 Parachute survey, 45% of educators reported considering leaving the profession within the previous year, expressing numerous challenges and pressures that Canadian educators face (Canadian Teachers’ Federation, 2025). These concerns allow us to recognize that supporting teacher well-being is necessary for all educators in the profession, including those in pre-service stages. Drawing from the research study on nine dimensions of well-being of Canadian pre-service teachers, i.e., cultural, emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and vocational (Kutsyuruba et al., 2025), my summer project focused on examining how these dimensions are currently represented across various educational levels, with a focus on teacher education programs, and where they could be more intentionally incorporated. In particular, our research considered how teacher candidates and early-career educators can be better prepared for the varied emotional and professional realities of teaching. By centering well-being within teacher education, our research seeks to highlight the importance of supporting educators in preparatory stages in managing stress, prioritizing their well-being, and developing strong foundations for sustainable careers. Educators and researchers are becoming more aware and mindful of the importance of well-being, and we hope that through projects and research such as these, we can help contribute to larger systemic changes. Incorporating well-being as an essential part of teacher training becomes crucial in our current landscape, and by reaching pre-service, in-service educators, school boards and policymakers, these actions can be made possible. Strengthening well-being within all educational environments will ultimately help promote healthier practice, workplaces, and improve overall educational quality. Supervisor: Dr. Benjamin Kutsyuruba References  Canadian Teachers’ Federation. (2025, July 17). The Canadian Teachers’ Federation releases latest results of Parachute, a pan-Canadian educator survey series: Second edition reveals key insights into why teachers stay—and why many are preparing to leave. https://www.ctf-fce.ca/tag/retention-and-recruitment/ Kutsyuruba, B.,  Walker, K.,  Ragoonaden, K.,  Claypool, T.,  Cherkowski, S.,  Godden, L., &  Bosica, J. (2026). Growing Pre-Service Teachers' Well-Being Capacity: Comparing the Perspectives of Teacher Education Programme Administrators and Teacher Candidates Across Canada. Future in Educational Research,  4(2), 145–157. https://doi.org/10.1002/fer3.70018