Wellbeing education for future teachers: A desktop review
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Amid growing global concern over teacher burnout and attrition, this article examines the extent to which initial teacher education (ITE) programs address the wellbeing preparation needs of future teachers. Employing a rapid evidence assessment approach, a desktop review was conducted of accredited ITE programs offered by 48 Australian tertiary institutions in 2024. Within the programs offered at these institutions, a total of 136 units of study with a focus on wellbeing were identified and analysed. The findings indicate that student wellbeing is the predominant focus within these units, with only 31% of providers offering content explicitly related to teacher wellbeing. This imbalance highlights a critical gap in the preparation of pre-service teachers, particularly in equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to manage their own wellbeing. This study underscores the need to embed evidence-informed approaches to both student and teacher wellbeing across ITE curricula, and provides an innovative illustration of how artificial intelligence can be used robustly within a desktop review. Further research is warranted to explore how policymakers, regulatory bodies and ITE providers can work collaboratively to ensure early-career teachers are prepared to support student wellbeing while sustaining their own professional wellbeing.
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7225663839