The effect of grouping among teachers on school culture

The aim of this research is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the effects of group formations among teachers on teacher relationships, student achievement, and school culture. This study was carried out to identify the reasons behind group formations among teachers working in public schools, propose solutions to the problems arising from these divisions, and reveal the negative impacts of teacher groupings on school culture. The research was conducted using a qualitative research method and was designed within the framework of phenomenology (study of lived experiences). The study group was determined by the maximum diversity sampling technique within the purposeful sampling method.The study group consists of 16 teachers from different branches, working at various educational levels (preschool, primary school, secondary school, and high school) in the central district of Amasya province during the 2023/2024 academic year. A semi-structured interview form consisting of 21 items of open-ended questions was used as the data collection tool in the research. The interviews were conducted in settings chosen by the participants, and audio recordings were taken. Participants were encouraged to answer the questions sincerely, with each interview lasting approximately 35-40 minutes. The collected data were analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. As a result of the research, participants identified the reasons for teacher groupings as common interests/lifestyle, political views, gender differences, age groups, branch groups, competition/ambition, union differences. Participants also indicated that the impact of these groupings on school culture would be negative, leading to a decrease in overall success, weakening communication, preventing a healthy school culture, positive competition in some cases. Participants asked about who should be responsible for reducing or preventing the negative impacts of groupings on school culture, participants stated that responsibility lies with school management, all staff members, the school principal, teachers, the Ministry of National Education. To prevent teacher groupings and improve school culture, participants suggested fair leadership by school administration, increasing social activities, respecting differences, avoiding career-based discrimination, providing training and seminars, not having gathering areas outside the teachers' lounge in schools.