Date
4-18-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Nathan Borrett
Keywords
IPA, qualitative, prayer, public school, value dissonance, spiritual growth, Christian worldview
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Knoeppel, Katharine E., "Keeping the Faith: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Christian Educators Working in a Public Elementary School" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6744.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6744
Abstract
Spiritual growth and development are pivotal aspects of a Christian’s life journey. A Christian worldview to include consultation with scripture and prayer helps to support the morals and values necessary for such growth. American public-school systems have adopted a secular worldview which is devoid of creationism and His truth. With an increase in attrition rates and reported job-related stress among public school employees, a deeper understanding is needed to better understand current trends. This study focused on the lived experience of Christian educators working in a secular school system. Quantitative research was conducted investigating the impact of prayer, stress and attrition rates among educators. This qualitative phenomenological study broadened the scope of understanding pertaining to Christian educators’ experiences. Psychological research such as this study adds to prior secular research by giving consideration to Christians maintaining their spiritual core values while emersed in a secular institution.
