Salesmen, Tour Guides, and Aliens: Lived Space Experiences of Orthodox Bible Teachers in Non-Orthodox Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Investigations of Teaching Contexts in the Lives of Teachers (Table 3)

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the experiences of twenty-five Orthodox teachers teaching Bible in non-Orthodox community schools. It analyzes metaphors they used and descriptions of school spaces to understand their ideological, cultural, and religious challenges. Using Lefebvre's (1991) "lived space" concept and Alzeer's (2019) hot/cold space distinction, the study reveals how teachers perceive belonging and alienation in the pluralistic day school setting. Semi-structured interviews and constructivist grounded theory guide data collection and analysis. Findings show that isolating teachers' metaphors and perceptions of spaces allowed for a deeper understanding of their experience. This research highlights the complex dynamics faced by religious educators in diverse schools and emphasizes the symbolic value of lived spaces.

Author

• Esther S. Friedman, The George Washington University