First-Hand Insights of Novice Teachers in Entrepreneurial Cooperative Schools

This study analyses the lived experiences of novice teachers in entrepreneurial cooperative schools in the Philippines. These schools offer a value-oriented alternative to private schools, especially given that so many teachers are burning out. The research was conducted at one cooperative school in the Quezon IV district of Bukidnon. It addresses a critical gap: these schools offer promising teamwork and fortitude but lack sufficient information about why novice teachers choose them, what problems they face, what they gain, and what advice they offer in resource-minimal settings. The aim was to determine why they chose these jobs, what challenges they faced, what benefits they gained, and what advice they would give others. We intentionally selected 15 novice teachers with less than 2 years of on-the-job experience. We conducted open-ended interviews and analyzed excerpts to identify four main themes. They appreciated team support, shared plans, and encouragement/guidance from experienced teachers to get started. But real issues arise: insufficient supplies or technology, extensive responsibilities, pressure to bring in more students through local outreach, and administrative stagnation. Despite all of these, they emerged more resilient, navigating adversity, taking charge of small projects, and developing intrapreneurial leadership to foster institutional sustainability. Their advice was practical to stay flexible, utilize team capacity, and integrate abstract principles with practical applications. The results show that these schools have significant potential but are underdeveloped. The study calls for better training programs, equitable resource distribution and manageable workloads to retain teachers.

Novice teachers, entrepreneurial cooperative schools

1. Aaron, J., & Tumbali. (2019). Academic Performance and Entrepreneurial Intention. INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH JOURNAL, 1, 121. https://www.ioer-imrj.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ACADEMIC-PERFORMANCE-A.J.-Y.-Tumbal.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Cañete, E., & Pantojan, M. G. (2025). Guiding the Future: A Multiple Case Study on the Experiences of Cooperating Teachers in Mentoring Pre-Service Teachers. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 44(10), 1–1. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=32282 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Colaizzi, P. F. (1978). Psychological Research as the Phenomenologist Views It (R. S. Valle & M. King, Eds.). PhilPapers; Oxford University Press. https://philpapers.org/rec/COLPRA-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Collaboration Opportunities and Workload on Professional Development Access of Public-School Teachers - International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS). (2024). International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS). https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrias/articles/collaboration-opportunities-and-workload-on-professional-development-access-of-public-school-teachers/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Consunji, J. (2025). Cooperative Learning Practices of Grade One Teachers in Select Elementary Schools in Region III. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 49(1), 1–1. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=33322 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Creagh, S., Thompson, G., Mockler, N., Stacey, M., & Hogan, A. (2023). Workload, Work Intensification and Time Poverty for Teachers and School leaders: a Systematic Research Synthesis. Educational Review, 1(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2023.2196607 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Daga, E. D. J., Michael, A., & Lingatong, E. (2025). The Impact of Curriculum Reform on Teacher Workload: A Multidimensional Time-Use Analysis. https://doi.org/10.62986/dp2025.55 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective teacher professional development. In Learning Policy Institute. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/product-files/Effective_Teacher_Professional_Development_REPORT.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Eugenio, E. T. (2025). The Professional and Personal Development of Private and Public Senior High School Teachers. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 6(8), 1–1. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=30672 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Experiences of School Leaders in Managing Entrepreneurial Behavior of Teachers: A Case Study - International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. (2024). International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/experiences-of-school-leaders-in-managing-entrepreneurial-behavior-of-teachers-a-case-study/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Exploring the Early Years: Stories and Narratives of Novice Teachers in Private Schools - International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. (2023). International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/exploring-the-early-years-stories-and-narratives-of-novice-teachers-in-private-schools/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Fe, M., & Acosta, J. E. (2025). Challenges in Cooperative Learning Approach in Secondary Social Studies Instruction, Zone 1, Department of Education, Division of Zambales, Philippines. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 6(3), 1–1. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=26208 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Felisilda, A. U., Labitad, G. F., & Comon, J. D. (2024). Challenges and Performance of Novice Teachers: Basis for School Management Plan. American Journal of Arts and Human Science, 3(4), 96–118. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajahs.v3i4.3866 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets in Teacher Trainees: A Study on Entrepreneurship Education for Future Educators - International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. (2025). International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/fostering-entrepreneurial-mindsets-in-teacher-trainees-a-study-on-entrepreneurship-education-for-future-educators/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Magallanes, K., Chung, J. Y., & Lee, S. (2022). The Philippine Teachers' Concerns on Educational Reform Using Concern Based Adoption Model. Frontiers in Education, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.763991 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Ntsanwisi, S., & Simelane-Mnisi, S. (2025, February). Teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurship education in Limpopo primary and high schools [Review of Teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurship education in Limpopo primary and high schools]. South African Journal of Education. https://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/viewFile/2029/1477 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Pagutayao, V. S. (2025). Exploring the Early Years: Stories and Narratives of Novice Teachers in Private Schools. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(4), 5574–5580. https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v9y2025issue-45574-5580.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. The Difference Between Private Schools and Public Schools. (n.d.). Www.isdenver.org. https://www.isdenver.org/newspost/~board/adcellerant-blog/post/private-school-vs-public-school [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study