ERIC Number: EJ870515
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Oct
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0966-9760
EISSN: N/A
Preschool Teachers' Narratives: A Window on Personal-Professional History, Values and Beliefs
Court, Deborah; Merav, Liat; Ornan, Etty
International Journal of Early Years Education, v17 n3 p207-217 Oct 2009
This study investigated 10 Israeli preschool teachers' reasons for choosing their profession and their perceptions of the teacher's role. A narrative approach was chosen because teachers' narratives can reveal their practical knowledge and the meanings they ascribe to their teaching. Data were subjected to content analysis and linguistic analysis. The content analysis revealed that choice of profession flowed from personal history and family background and reflected the needs, priorities and ambitions of each teacher. Most of the participants chose this profession at an early stage, in childhood or adolescence, and were influenced by close family members. An ongoing connection was revealed between key events and people in the preschool teachers' narratives, their perceptions of the teacher's role and their professional selves. The linguistic analysis revealed beliefs and values expressed through figurative language, and especially metaphor. Metaphoric themes related mainly to the nurturing of children and were consistent with beliefs and values expressed directly.
Descriptors: Teacher Role, Content Analysis, Preschool Teachers, Personal Narratives, Career Choice, Teacher Attitudes, Beliefs, Females, Interviews, Teacher Characteristics, Teacher Background, Values, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Preschool Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Israel
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A