Self-esteem is a tricky thing. It fluctuates throughout your life and due to various situations. When negative situations persist, such as an inability to enjoy success in your chosen career, negative self-esteem can spill over into other parts of your life.

Persistent low self-esteem can lead to social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, addiction and a slew of other undesirable situations. Self-esteem works in a cyclical manner: our achievements and abilities affect how we see ourselves and how we see ourselves is affected by our achievements and abilities.

Furthermore, how we see ourselves affects how we feel about our achievements. Observing the low employment rate in our chosen careers, my own experience, and my communication with other occasional teachers, I came to the natural conclusion that our jobs are affecting our self-esteem in negative ways. With this survey I hope to discover the ways our members are affected and to come up with strategies and a network of members we can turn to when our days seem dark. Please answer the questions as honestly as you can. Include your name and email address if you would like to be entered into our prize draw, however, those boxes are optional. Personal identifying information will be kept confidential.

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* 1. Responding to this question is optional. Information provided is confidential, and will only be used to contact you if we have follow-up questions for you, or if you win the prize draw.

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* 2. Years on the DSBN Occasional Teacher Roster

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* 3. I have had a Long Term Occasional assignment

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* 4. Please rate the following statements.

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
Based on my success as a student in post-secondary school and teacher's college, I am shocked to find myself in the position I am in.
I was a better teacher 2 years ago.
It's not what you do, it's who you know.
I am determined to continue my teaching career no matter how long I remain underemployed.
My self-esteem is suffering due to my lack of success in obtaining a contract and/or permanent position.
I feel like I am constantly starting my career over (i.e. following a maternity leave, each September, following a long-term position).
Students treat me with the same respect with which they treat regular classroom teachers.
I am feeling discouraged most days before my work as an OT.
I often suffer from anxiety.
I sometimes worry excessively over little things that went wrong during the school day and wonder if I will be called back for an assignment in that classroom or school.
When I am not called back to a classroom or school I lose sleep over what I could have done better.
My job conditions negatively impact one or more of the following: learning, relationships, health and/or overall life satisfaction.
I feel that the recent hiring for the LTO list was unfair and failed to recognize my true talent as a teacher.
I am able to recognize my personal strengths and needs and I am comfortable with myself the way I am.
I feel good about my skills and accomplishments.
My inability to move along in my career has affected my overall opinion of myself and my abilities.
I find it difficult to say no.
I tend to focus on my weaknesses and flaws.
I am uncomfortable with, and have difficulty accepting praise.
I feel like I have to pretend to be someone I am not when in a school setting, since being myself has not been effective.
The enthusiasm and excitement I felt as a new teacher is dwindling as time passes.
I feel as time goes by that I am less supported by my family, friends and colleagues as an Occasional Teacher.

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* 5. I feel better when I am volunteering in school during my days off. (Choose all that apply)

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* 6. On average, how many hours do you spend volunteering in schools weekly?

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* 7. Without changing careers or getting a contract position, 2 things that would help my self-esteem right now would be...

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