The effect of school administrators' feedback to teachers on motivation and job satisfaction

This study investigates the effect of school principals' feedback on teacher motivation and job satisfaction. The study is based on the theoretical framework that links leadership practices with employee motivation and satisfaction. In this context, the study group of the research consists of 642 teachers working in official primary, secondary and high school levels affiliated with the Istanbul Directorate of National Education in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Quantitative data were collected from teachers using a structured scale designed to measure their perceptions of principals' feedback, motivation levels, and job satisfaction. The findings revealed a significant relationship between the nature of administrators' feedback and teacher motivation. This situation; Positive, constructive feedback has been associated with higher levels of intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. Conversely, negative or unconstructive feedback has been linked to low motivation and job dissatisfaction. However, the data from the field surveys also confirmed these results; Teachers expressed a preference for personalized, regular, and growth-oriented feedback. Additionally, the study revealed that feedback frequency and quality play an important role in shaping teacher attitudes and behaviors. While regular and meaningful feedback has been seen as a catalyst for professional development and increased work engagement, infrequent or generic feedback has often led to feelings of underappreciation and disengagement.