Living Contradiction of a Japanese Immigrant Educator in the Nordic Preschool Context: An Auto-Ethnographic Self-Study

• In Event: 18.059 - MTCC Roundtable Session Three
  In Roundtable Session: 18.059-10 - Uncovering Identity Through Self-Study Research

Abstract

This autoethnographic self-study is about the transformation of my perception as a Japanese immigrant preschool educator in a Nordic country. The focus of the study lies in my living contradiction between my values as a professional and my practice as an immigrant educator. My reflective short stories are analyzed with the aid of my critical friend who critically questioned my stories. Findings reveal that three concepts of immigrant educators’ conflicts (educational value, language, funds of knowledge) are not independent; rather, they are highly interrelated. A gap between my living contradiction was filled when I realized that my Japanese resources are a significant asset.

Authors

• Megumi Nishida, University of Iceland

• Oren Ergas, Beit Berl College and Hebrew University