Mattering

For an article explaining the various elements see the ASCD article, "How Mattering Matters for Educators" at https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/how-mattering-matters-for-educators

Take the Foundational Elements of Mattering Scale for Teachers

Foundational Elements of Mattering Scale (FEMS-T)

Ensuring Teachers Matter: Where to Focus First so Students Matter Most

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Teachers are critical to student success, but the profession of teaching is in crisis. When teachers feel a sense of purpose or meaningful significance, it leads to better student achievement, less burnout, and higher job satisfaction. Drawing from original research, this practical resource introduces eight essential elements of mattering that schools need to have for teachers to feel they matter.

This book will help K–12 teachers:

Learn how to integrate less pleasant aspects of the job with one’s values to achieve a goal
Use the foundational elements of mattering survey and other tools to effect substantive school change
Make smaller-scale changes to the work environment to meet individual needs
Understand the purpose and importance of each element of mattering
Learn about leaders’ obligations when it comes to mattering and what teachers should expect from them
Explore the implications of all eight elements of mattering for teachers and leaders

Contents:

Introduction: A Blinding Flash of the Obvious―The What and Why of Mattering

Chapter 1: Celebrating the Team, Not Just the Score―Community

Chapter 2: Embracing What You See, and That’s a Whole Lot of Me―Authenticity

Chapter 3: Getting Lost in the Moment, With a Good Crowd Around―Flow

Chapter 4: Staying the Course, En Route to My Why―Purpose

Chapter 5: Seeing the Downside as a Necessary Upside―Assimilation

Chapter 6: Getting Real With How We Stack Up―Compensation

Chapter 7: Taking Care to Take Care―Stability

Chapter 8: Letting Things Be Loose–Tight―Job Crafting

Chapter 9: Putting It All Together―Smarter Stuff That Matters

Epilogue: A Fair Adieu

References and Resources

Dissertation

Foundational Elements Mattering for K-12 Teachers

Wilfong, R. (2021). The mattering model: The foundational elements of mattering for K-12 educators. Available from Dissertations & Theses @ Indiana State University; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. (2537966312). Retrieved from https://ezproxy.indstate.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy.indstate.edu/dissertations-theses/mattering-model-foundational-elements-k-12/docview/2537966312/se-2?accountid=11592

Mattering is the feeling that one’s actions are significant, and that one would be missed if one were gone (Rosenberg & McCullough, 1981). So far, little research has addressed the teacher’s sense of mattering in the K-12 setting. This study examined the possible foundational elements or building blocks of mattering for K-12 teachers by using exploratory factor analysis. A thorough review of the literature identified the possible elements of mattering for K-12 educators; based on that, an initial theoretical construct was designed. A survey instrument consisting of 102 items was created, and it was taken by 1,110 participants from diverse backgrounds and school demographics.

The analysis revealed eight factors as the foundation of mattering for K-12 teachers: community, authenticity, flow, compensation, purpose, assimilation, job crafting, and job stability. The eight factors were categorized into three thematic units: Interpersonal (community, authenticity, and flow), Intrapersonal (purpose and assimilation), and External (compensation, job stability, and job crafting).