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Teachers' Lives and Practice of Professionalism in Challenging Times

Mon, April 20, 12:25 to 1:55pm, Virtual Room

Abstract

This paper reports on a 3-year research project aimed at examining experiences of being a teacher in a context of school reform and adverse times.A mixed-method research design was devised, including a national survey,semi-structured interviews and focus groups.Findings suggest that teachers face old and new demands in a context of school reform and adverse times related to the worsening of their working conditions, the deterioration of their socio-economic status and the lack of career prospects. Some try to survive, others resist feelings of giving up by becoming more resilient and resisting.Professional values, sense of professionalism and identity along with the relational and emotional dimensions of teaching, and in some cases, school culture and leadership, are key features in teachers’ accounts.

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