Motivation and motivational factors of primary school teachers from the Self-Determination Theory perspective

This study examines the motivation of primary school teachers from the perspective of self-determination theory, to identify the variables and factors that affect motivation. The research was conducted using an explanatory mixed design. The qualitative data were collected from 414 teachers from 39 schools covering all districts of Erzurum province through the Multidimensional Job Motivation Scale. Qualitative data were collected from 30 participants through the Teacher Interview Form. Quantitative data were analyzed by t test, and ANOVA test; qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. The results indicate that teachers' intrinsic motivation is higher than their extrinsic motivation. Moreover, teacher motivation varies in terms of gender, age, seniority year, class size, and settlement. More extrinsic motivation factors were found than intrinsic; the external factors are mostly negative, while internal factors are mostly positive. The most significant positive motivational factor is students, and the key factor decreasing motivation is class crowding. Future studies could collect more comprehensive results from a larger sample group that includes all types of schools.