Emotionally Challenging Episodes in Teacher Education: Student Teachers' Perspectives on Suitability for the Teacher Occupation

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Division K Roundtable Session 6

Abstract

In our ongoing study on emotionally challenging situations in teacher education, a recurrent theme discussed by student teachers was encountering other student teachers who were thought to be unsuitable for the occupation. The following paper aims to investigate how student teachers relate to suitability of their student teacher peers. In this qualitative constructivist grounded theory study, data material from four focus groups and 52 semi-structured interviews (N=67) were analyzed. Findings revealed that the student teachers recurrently reported a concern about the suitability of their student teacher peers. Suitability from the perspective of student teachers involved, (1) values, (2) social skills, and (3) performance in teacher education. These components were used to differentiate themselves in regards to other student teachers.

Authors

• Henrik Lindqvist, Linköping University

• Maria Weurlander, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

• Annika Wernerson, Karolinska Institutet

• Robert Thornberg, Linköping University