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"That's what you want to do as a teacher, make a difference, let the child be, have high expectations": Stories of becoming, being and un-becoming an early childhood teacher

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posted on 2024-06-05, 06:19 authored by Jessica CiuciuJessica Ciuciu, Natalie RobertsonNatalie Robertson
© 2019 Social Science Press. This article explores the experiences of four individuals who changed careers into early childhood teaching in Victoria, Australia and later left the profession. The study was conducted with a narrative inquiry approach and reveals insight into motivations for becoming an early childhood teacher (ECT), experiences of being an ECT and factors that lead to un-becoming an ECT. Participants were motivated by pragmatic reasons such as career advancement and family-work compatibility alongside intrinsic interest when becoming an ECT. They entered the profession eager to support children's learning and development. However, their experiences compromised their health and wellbeing and inhibited them from teaching as they envisioned. The findings of the study hold implications for policy makers, employers and higher education in effort to retain and sustain ECTs.

History

Journal

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Volume

44

Article number

ARTN 5

Pagination

79-95

Location

Graylands, W.A.

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

0313-5373

eISSN

1835-517X

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

11

Publisher

EDITH COWAN UNIV

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