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Full-Text Articles in Education

Exploring How Second-Career Teachers Construct A New Professional Identity: A Narrative Inquiry Study, Bethany Pflug Jul 2020

Exploring How Second-Career Teachers Construct A New Professional Identity: A Narrative Inquiry Study, Bethany Pflug

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This qualitative, narrative inquiry explored how second-career teachers constructed their new professional identity as a teacher. Through personal, in-depth interviews, the study analyzed how each participant constructed their professional identity. Four common themes were found among the participants in how they constructed their professional identity: professional identity shaped by identity as a parent, professional identity as shaped by personal identity, professional identity as shaped by prior professional skills and experiences, and professional identity as shaped by social context. In addition to these themes, each participant had unique ways in which they constructed their professional identity as at teacher which did …


Career Changers As First-Year High School Teachers, Holly Anderson, Sara Fry, Jack Hourcade Apr 2015

Career Changers As First-Year High School Teachers, Holly Anderson, Sara Fry, Jack Hourcade

Jack Hourcade

Individuals who change careers to assume teaching roles in secondary schools are more likely to struggle in the classroom than those without such backgrounds. In this investigation, we identified three such career-changing teachers who were beginning their education careers in rural schools, and observed and interviewed them throughout their first year of teaching to understand their unique challenges and to identify the types of supports that they found to be most helpful. Three primary themes emerged: (1) adjustment to the unique culture of a school, (2) the importance of mentoring, and (3) adaptation of previous work experiences to teaching. Recommendations …


Swapping The Boardroom For The Classroom, Matthew B. Etherington Jan 2009

Swapping The Boardroom For The Classroom, Matthew B. Etherington

Education Papers and Journal Articles

This study inquires into the practicum experiences of 10 second career pre-service teachers who were enrolled in two accelerated graduate teacher education programs at a well established university in Ontario Canada. The objective was to understand the actuality of the teaching experience for teacher candidates with previous careers. The data collection drew on a semi-structured interview format and spanned nearly a six month period. The results suggest that second careerists draw heavily on their experiences from first careers and these experiences continue to shape their interpretations, attitudes and beliefs about teaching during and after the practicum. The conclusions recommend that …