The effects of professional experience upon pre-service physical and health education teacher’s resilience, self-efficacy and stress

Given the high levels of attrition and burnout in the first three to five years of the teaching profession, there is a need to identify and foster those pre-service training practices that enhance career longevity. This study examined the role a learning communities based model of professional experience has in increasing resilience and self-efficacy and decreasing stress. Results from 18 pre-service teachers supported the contention that a five-week professional experience produces significant effects on reported resilience and self-efficacy, while no change was witnessed in perceived stress scores. Qualitative findings indicate that longer immersions and effective student behaviour management strategies would enhance their experience. Implications for preservice teacher training and future research directions are discussed.