From Public School Practitioner to Researcher: A Narrative Inquiry Into Five Doctoral Students' Experiences

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: Narrative Research From the Perspective of the Self

Abstract

This narrative inquiry explores the lived experiences of five doctoral students making the transition from long-time public school teachers to researchers in the field of curriculum and special education. Serving as both researchers and participants, conversational interviews were conducted with each other in order to explore beginning research experiences. The three-dimensional narrative inquiry spaces were used to see where male and female stories came alongside or bumped up against each other. Spaces where stories intersected include lessons learned, ongoing emotional reactions, moments of clarity, and concerns for the future.This self-study may provide other doctoral students with validation as they make this journey. Universities may develop a better understanding of these experiences in order to better support beginning scholars.

Authors

• Holly B Luganob, Northern Arizona University

• Michelle Novelli, Northern Arizona University

• Kathleen Abou-Rjaily, Northern Arizona University

• James K. Ingram, Northern Arizona University

• Daniel G Barraza, Northern Arizona University