The Effect of Teacher Education and Workplace Influences on Teachers in Australia and China

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Teaching Across Contexts: Meaning Making Across Complex Landscapes

Abstract

Much has been written about teacher education and workplace influences on early career teachers’ commitment, identities, and rates of attrition. However, there is less written about the influences on the commitment and effectiveness of early, mid- and later career teachers who stay in the profession. This empirical study examined the nature and perceived effects of influences on Australian and Chinese public school teachers in different career phases. It found that, despite broad cultural and workplace differences, there were many similarities in their trajectories. The findings suggest that a greater emphasis be placed upon promoting agency and resilience among teachers and that support and development of agency in a third space overlapping teacher preparation and beginning teaching is needed.

Authors

• Alyson Simpson, The University of Sydney

• Christopher W. Day, University of Nottingham

• Diane E. Mayer, University of Oxford

• Qiong Li, Beijing Normal University

• Guoyuan Sang, Beijing Normal University

• Wayne Cotton, The University of Sydney

• Huan Song, Beijing Normal University