Possible Selves as an Explanation for the Power of Preservice Teachers' School Memories

• In Event: 75.042 - The Power of Teacher Beliefs in Shaping Policy and Practice

Abstract

Possible Selves theory suggests preservice teachers select memories of past experiences that work to create an image of their desired self, the teacher they wish to become, or an image of their feared self, the teacher they wish to avoid becoming in the classroom. For this qualitative study, elementary preservice teachers (N=69) were asked to write about their memories of elementary school and reflect on the meaning of those memories. Based on a theory-driven thematic analysis, all students identified memories that worked to create their desired and/or feared teacher self. Some students recognized a conflict between their memories and the best practices learned in the course, and a few were able to negotiate their past memories with current practices.

Authors

• Kyle Elizabeth Miller, Illinois State University

• Rena Shifflet, Illinois State University