Resilience of Puerto Rican Physical Education Teachers Post-Hurricane María

Christian Martínez-Rivera Samuel R. Hodge
Abstract
The purpose of this study, which is the second paper in a two-part series, was to explore and describe the resilience of physical education teachers post-Hurricane María in Puerto Rico. A secondary purpose was to explore and describe cultural impacts on teachers coping with stress associated with teaching post-Hurricane María. This ethnographic study was positioned in the socio-ecological model. The participants were nine physical education teachers in Puerto Rico. The sampling design was purposive. The primary data sources were semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using a thematic line-by-line analysis method. Three major recurrent and interrelated themes emerged, which were: (a) fear, uncertainty, and anger; (b) coping; and (c) overwhelmed. In summary, we found Puerto Rican teachers faced challenges (e.g., economic constraints, school closings, job insecurities) long before and still years after Hurricane María devasted the island. Cultural impacts were manifested in coping strategies and mutual support among teachers and enhance their resilience to overcome such challenges.
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ISSN(Online): 2766-6778

Frequency: Quarterly

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