Changing Landscapes: A Social Studies Teacher Narrative

• In Event: Teachers' Narratives Exploring Changing Landscapes

Abstract

This study explores the narrative of Dottie, a teacher who, in 19 years of teaching, encountered numerous reform, community, classroom and sacred stories. Utilizing Narrative Inquiry, we explored Dottie’s personal practical knowledge as it related to her experience. Through interaction within her professional knowledge landscape, her personal practical knowledge developed as she learned from the past, contextualized the present and continues to inform the future. We saw that in 19 years of teaching, Dottie’s personal practical knowledge shifted based on the changes she experienced in her professional knowledge landscape as her content area changed from mathematics to social studies. Though unique to Dottie, her story presents commonalities of value, parallels of learning and crossroads of experience.

Authors

• Rachel K Turner, Utah State University

• Eliel Hinojosa, Texas A&M University - College Station