Intra and Interpersonal Skills of Gen Z Teachers: Exploring Issues and Solutions for Becoming a Professional Teacher

Authors

  • Hilhamsyah Hilhamsyah Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia
  • Suyatno Suyatno Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia
  • Sri Tutur Martaningsih Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51454/jet.v7i2.677

Keywords:

Gen Z Teacher, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal

Abstract

Gen Z teachers have high technological skills but face challenges in intra- and interpersonal competencies, potentially affecting teaching quality and professionalism. This study aims to identify the weaknesses in these skills and the strategies used by Gen Z teachers to improve them in support of their professional development. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews. Informants included five Gen Z teachers, an education coordinator, and a school principal, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the steps of data collection, reduction, presentation, and conclusion. The findings reveal that Gen Z teachers at SD Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta face intrapersonal challenges such as emotional vulnerability, mood instability, and difficulty adapting to systemic changes. Interpersonal challenges include limited social interaction, generational gaps, and feeling undervalued by students. However, teachers make efforts to improve through self-development, emotional regulation, and seeking broader educational insights. Interpersonal improvements are pursued through collaboration, empathy, and support from their environment. These findings highlight the need for educational institutions to address these challenges through psychological support, reflective practices, and professional training programs tailored to Gen Z teachers’ needs, ensuring sustainable professional growth.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abou Assali, M., & Al Abdouli, K. (2024). Unleashing the power of teacher’s wellbeing and selfcare. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.58256/3nrd9d62

Admiraal, W., Kittelsen Røberg, K. I., Wiers-Jenssen, J., & Saab, N. (2023). Mind the gap: Early-career teachers’ level of preparedness, professional development, working conditions, and feelings of distress. Social Psychology of Education, 26(6), 1759–1787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-023-09819-6

Agarwal, H., & Vaghela, P. (2018). Work Values Of Gen Z:Bridging the Gap to the Next Generation. National Conference on Innovative Business Management Practices in 21th Century, 1(2), 1–26.

Ahmed, N. E., Hushin, H., & Mahayadin, M. (2020). Workplace Happiness and the Relationship to the Work Motivation among Primary School Teachers in Pasir Gudang District/ Kebahagiaan di Tempat Kerja dan Hubungannya terhadap Motivasi Kerja Guru Sekolah Rendah di Daerah Pasir Gudang. Sains Humanika, 12(2–2), 35–39. https://doi.org/10.11113/sh.v12n2-2.1782

Akyüz, İ. (2023). Job stress management in forest administration chief officers in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 47(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-011X.3060

Alruthaya, A., Nguyen, T. T., & Lokuge, S. (2021). The Application of Digital Technology and the Learning Characteristics of Generation Z in Higher Education. ACIS 2021 - Australasian Conference on Information Systems, Proceedings, 1–7.

Amai, K. (2022). Adolescents’ mental health problems, teacher support, and school adaptation: A qualitative analysis based on the Trajectory Equifinality Model. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 10(4), 510–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683603.2021.1901812

Annamalai, S., Vasunandan, A., & Mehta, A. (2025). Social isolation and loneliness among Generation Z employees: can emotional intelligence help mitigate? Cogent Business and Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2441474

Apridayani, Warsah, I., & Murniyanto. (2024). Model Optimalisasi Pemberdayaan Soft Skills Guru Pada Lembaga Pendidikan Islam. Jurnal IdraTech, 15(1), 37–48.

Au, A. K. Y., Cheng, S. K. L., Wu, W. C. H., Shum, D. H. K., Nezlek, J. B., & Hui, B. P. H. (2025). Understanding age-related differences in online prosocial behavior: A qualitative thematic analysis of interpersonal, ideological, and mixed patterns. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 17, 100557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100557

Aziez, F., Rinjani, R., Agung, R. M., Wiarsih, C., & Irianto, S. (2025). Being An Introverted Teacher: Student Teachers’ Experience During the Internship Program. Educational Process International Journal, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.16.196

Benítez-Márquez, M. D., Sánchez-Teba, E. M., Bermúdez-González, G., & Núñez-Rydman, E. S. (2022). Generation Z Within the Workforce and in the Workplace: A Bibliometric Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(February), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.736820

Berkers, P., & Wijngaarden, Y. (2025). A Sociology of Awkwardness. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003247302

Castaño Muñoz, J., Vuorikari, R., Costa, P., Hippe, R., & Kampylis, P. (2023). Teacher collaboration and students’ digital competence - evidence from the SELFIE tool. European Journal of Teacher Education, 46(3), 476–497. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2021.1938535

Citraningtyas, C. E. C., Puspita, R., & Winarty, S. (2025). Examining Digital Communication Etiquette Among Gen-Z in the Smart City Context: A Case Study of Universitas Pembangunan Jaya Students in Indonesia BT - Proceedings of 8th ASRES International Conference on Intelligent Technologies (V. K. Tripathi, K. V. Arya, & C. Rodriguez, Eds.; pp. 419–430). Springer Nature Singapore.

Collie, R. J. (2025). Teachers’ perceived social-emotional competence: a personal resource linked with well-being and turnover intentions. Educational Psychology, 45(3), 257–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2025.2466652

Cubukcu Cerasi, C., & Balcioglu, Y. S. (2024). Bridging Generations and Values: Understanding Generation Z’s Organizational Preferences and the Mediating Role of Sustainability and Innovation Attitudes in Turkey. Administrative Sciences, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14090229

Deloitte. (2019). Welcome to Generation Z. 1–24.

Deng, R. (2021). Emotionally engaged learners are more satisfied with online courses. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011169

Dewangan, R. L., & Goswami, T. (2025). Organizational role stress, quality of work life, organizational citizenship behavior, and psychological well-being among university faculty members. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 538. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02883-x

Dyosini, T. P. (2024). Professional development of teachers: Perceptions and challenges of foundation phase teachers. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 14(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v14i1.1572

Eusebio, E. J. G., Baldera, P. R., C. Patiam, A. M., F. Sombria, C., F. Gan, J. R., & G. Castillo, C. (2025). Influences of educational and personal contexts on self-efficacy and job satisfaction of public elementary school teachers. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 14(6), 4468. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i6.33510

Fatihah, W. (2024). Webinar Komunitas Belajar (KOMBEL): Berbagai Praktik Baik dalam Meningkatkan Kompetensi Guru. Jurnal Abdimas Kartika Wijayakusuma, 5(2), 440–450. https://doi.org/10.26874/jakw.v5i2.451

Febrianty, S. E., & Muhammad, S. (2023). Manajemen Sumber Daya Manusia yang Pro Gen Z. UPPM universitas malahayati.

Fu, Q., & Zhang, X. (2024). Promoting community resilience through disaster education: Review of community-based interventions with a focus on teacher resilience and well-being. PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0296393. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296393

Gałajda, D. (2025). Understanding the Perception of Emotionality of GenZers as a Way of Developing Well-Being. Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.31261/TAPSLA.16422

Gardner, H. E. (2000). Intelligence reframed: Multiple intelligences for the 21st century. Hachette Uk.

Gebre, Z. A., Demissie, M. M., & Yimer, B. M. (2025). The impact of teacher socio-emotional competence on student engagement: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1526371

Hapsari, R. N., Agustina, S. M., Wijaya, R., & Romadona, M. R. (2024). Kurangnya Keterampilan Komunikasi Generasi Z Memasuki Pasar Kerja Inadequate Communication Skills of Generation Z Entering the Workplace. https://doi.org/10.56873/jpkm.v9i1.5241

Heilman, E. E. (2025). Supporting Gen Z teachers’ emotional well-being. Phi Delta Kappan, 107(1–2), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/00317217251377820

Hu, P.-P., Huang, F.-M., Yang, X.-F., Chen, X.-M., Cao, C.-H., & Chen, I.-H. (2026). How novice teacher identity affects student psychological resilience: A multi-level analysis. Acta Psychologica, 263, 106273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106273

Insider, B. (2021). Generation Z News: Latest Characteristics, Research, and Facts. Insider Inc. https://www.businessinsider.com/generation-z?IR=T

Jasmine, J. A., & Utomo, P. (2024). The role of transformational leadership, work-life balance, and employee engagement on Gen Z’s organizational commitment in the Indonesian creative industry. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 22(4), 576–587. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.22(4).2024.43

Kamat, M. M., Udayakumar, S., Selvakumar, P., Kamalakkannan, M. K., Reddy, E. M., & Manjunath, T. C. (2025). Increase in Work Productivity Through Intergenerational Collaboration. In Enhancing Intergenerational Social Connections Using Shared Common Values (pp. 147–172). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4367-9.ch006

Karataş, F., & Yüce, E. (2024). AI and the Future of Teaching: Preservice Teachers’ Reflections on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Open and Distributed Learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 25(3 Special Issue), 304–325. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v25i3.7785

Karina, M., Bila, N. S., Primantari, R., Tara, J. D., Rahmawati, A. F., Murti, N. W., Qintara, M. A., Hanifah, F., Wahyuni, D., & Novita, M. V. (2021). Gen Z Insights: Perspective on Education. Unisri Press.

Kasmawati, Y. (2020). Peningkatan Kompetensi Melalui Kolaborasi : Suatu Tinjauan Teoritis Terhadap Guru. Equilibrium: Jurnal Pendidikan, 8(2), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.26618/equilibrium.v8i2.3377

Klusmann, U., Richter, D., & Lüdtke, O. (2016). Teachers’ emotional exhaustion is negatively related to students’ achievement: Evidence from a large-scale assessment study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 108(8), 1193–1203. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000125

L. Cutillas, A., E. Balili Jr., E., C. Rellin, E., & S. Pangandoyon, M. J. (2025). Teaching strategies and activities across all disciplines that appeal to Gen-Z learners. Environment and Social Psychology, 10(6). https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i6.3176

Lee, S., & Jun, J. (2023). International Journal of Educational Methodology Active Job Behaviors of Generation Z Elementary School Teachers *. International Journal of Education Methodology, 9(4), 801–814. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.9.4.801 International

Martyna Bieleń, & Jakub Kibucek. (2020). Response of the labor market to the needs and expectations of Generation Z. E-Mentor, 86(4), 87–94. https://doi.org/10.15219/em86.1486

Mohd Kamal, N., Wan Afandi, W. N. H., & Alias, N. Z. I. (2025). Concept Paper: Exploring Gen Z’s Communication Tools in Enhancing Post-COVID Educational Settings Through the Lens of Media Richness Theory. PaperASIA, 41(5b), 362–368. https://doi.org/10.59953/paperasia.v41i5b.729

Moore Johnson, S. (2025). Pursuing the School as a Workplace. In Handbook on Teachers’ Work (pp. 119–136). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003479659-10

Moreno, G. (2025). Teacher Preparation for Diverse K-12 Settings: Advocating for the Theoretical Fusion of Culturally Competent Classroom Management and Person-Centered Therapy Principles. The New Educator, 21(4), 356–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/1547688X.2025.2512721

Mornar, M. (2024). Teachers’ Social and Emotional Competencies and Their Role in Occupational Well-Being. Psihologijske Teme, 33(3), 503–526. https://doi.org/10.31820/pt.33.3.2

Nanda, S. B., Satapathy, D., Panda, G., & Pradhan, D. K. (2025). Socio-emotional learning and competencies in 21st-century education: a systematic review of teacher and student perspectives. Discover Education, 4(1), 338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00796-w

Nurqamar, I. F., Ulfa, S., Hafizhah, I., Fadhillah, N., & Rahmi, N. (2022). The Intention of Generation Z To Apply For a Job. JBMI (Jurnal Bisnis, Manajemen, Dan Informatika), 18(3), 218–247. https://doi.org/10.26487/jbmi.v18i3.16493

Paolini, A. C. (2020). Social Emotional Learning: Key to Career Readiness. Anatolian Journal of Education, 5(1), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.29333/aje.2020.5112a

Peters, D., Sadek, M., & Ahmadpour, N. (2024). Collaborative Workshops at Scale: A Method for Non-Facilitated Virtual Collaborative Design Workshops. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 40(19), 5997–6014. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2247589

Pichler, S., Kohli, C., & Granitz, N. (2021). DITTO for Gen Z: A framework for leveraging the uniqueness of the new generation. Business Horizons, 64(5), 599–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2021.02.021

Plakias, A. (2024). Awkwardness. Oxford University PressNew York. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197683606.001.0001

Putra, R. P., & Rachmiatie, A. (2023). Manajemen Emosi dalam Dimensi Komunikasi Antarpribadi. Bandung Conference Series: Public Relations, 3(2), 563–569. https://doi.org/10.29313/bcspr.v3i2.8197

Rachmawati, D. (2019). Welcoming Gen Z in Job World (Selamat Datang Generasi Z di dunia kerja) Dewi. Proceeding Indonesia Career Center Network Summit IV, 21–24.

Robaina-Calderín, L., Martín-Santana, J. D., & Muñoz-Leiva, F. (2023). Immersive experiences as a resource for promoting museum tourism in the Z and millennials generations. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2023.100795

Sipman, G., Martens, R., Thölke, J., & McKenney, S. (2024). Exploring teacher awareness of intuition and how it affects classroom practices: conceptual and pragmatic dimensions. Professional Development in Education, 50(4), 746–759. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2021.1902839

Sukmawati, Suriani, S., Karim, A., Setiawan, L., & Yunus, M. K. (2025). Building sustainable human resource work meaning: A case study of Generation Z. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 14(3), 787–802. https://doi.org/10.18488/11.v14i3.4367

Surugiu, C., Surugiu, M. R., Grădinaru, C., & Grigore, A. M. (2025). Factors Motivating Generation Z in the Workplace: Managerial Challenges and Insights. Administrative Sciences, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15010029

Suyatno, S., Wantini, W., & Patimah, L. (2024). Intrinsic Motivation of Gen Z to be a Teacher in Elementary Schools. Futurity Education, 4(3), 169–181.

Szymkowiak, A., Melović, B., Dabić, M., Jeganathan, K., & Kundi, G. S. (2021). Information technology and Gen Z: The role of teachers, the internet, and technology in the education of young people. Technology in Society, 65(March). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101565

Vadivel, B., Namaziandost, E., & Saeedian, A. (2021). Progress in English Language Teaching Through Continuous Professional Development—Teachers’ Self-Awareness, Perception, and Feedback. Frontiers in Education, 6(November), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.757285

Valente, S., A. Lourenço, A., S. Almeida, L., Sainz-Gómez, M., & Amaro, P. (2024). La inteligencia emocional del docente como predictor de la gestión del aula y de la eficacia de la disciplina. Revista Argentina de Ciencias Del Comportamiento, 16(3), 96–106. https://doi.org/10.32348/1852.4206.v16.n3.42311

Xu, G., Haratyan, F., & Tian, H. (2026). A 2025 systematic review of teacher emotion regulation and well-being: implications for student engagement, learning outcomes, and professional development in EFL contexts. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1715266

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods.

Zahari, S. N. S., & Puteh, F. (2023). Gen Z Workforce and Job-Hopping Intention: A Study among University Students in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(1), 902–927. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i1/15540

Downloads

Published

2026-07-21

How to Cite

Hilhamsyah, H., Suyatno, S., & Tutur Martaningsih, S. (2026). Intra and Interpersonal Skills of Gen Z Teachers: Exploring Issues and Solutions for Becoming a Professional Teacher. Journal of Education and Teaching (JET), 7(2), 750-776. https://doi.org/10.51454/jet.v7i2.677

Issue

Section

Articles