Abstract
The intention of the current study was to find out the lived experiences of multi- grade teachers in the new normal. The phenomenological research design was utilized with seven multi-grade teachers involved as research participants. These multi-grade teachers were obtained using the purposive sampling in the identified schools with multi-grade education program in the District of Malinao, Philippines. The data were analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis employing Collaizzi’s method. The study used semi-structured interview guide instrument in gathering the data. The themes generated were categorized into subthemes: far location, big responsibility, new environment and people, insufficient trainings and seminar, and challenging yet rewarding experience. The challenges encountered by the multigrade teachers in multi-grade classes in the new normal were classified into: lack of school facilities; lack of learning materials; construction of differentiated learning materials and assessment tools; and insufficient time. In terms of their coping mechanism on the experienced struggles in teaching multi-grade classes, the findings revealed that all teachers were extremely motivated by their positive outlook, thus, surmounted the experienced struggles in teaching multi-grade classes. Based on the result of the study, a proposed program entitled “Recovery Program for Multi- Grade Teachers Teaching in the New Normal” was created in sustaining school performance in implementing multi-grade education program.
Keywords: Lived Experiences, Multigrade Teachers, Teaching, New Normal, Recovery Program
*This paper is presented at the 4th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Industry and Academic Research (ICMIAR) 2023
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