INVESTIGATION OF TEACHERS' VIEWS ON PROFESSIONAL IDENTITIES AND ROLES

Abstract

The aim of this study is to interpret the professional identities of teachers, in general term the social duties and responsibilities of teachers, how they interpret the differences between the teaching profession and other professions, the aspects of teaching that they see advantages and disadvantages. In the research conducted according to the semi-structured interviewing approach, the definitions of professional identities of teachers are examined in the context of issues that will make a difference in the analysis and are expected to be diversified, such as gender, seniority, the status of the tasked school. The survey was conducted with 18 teachers working in Tarsus (10 female, 8 male) in Mersin province. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the research data. In general, teachers have stated that the training of useful collective people is guiding the people and preparing the students for the future, the tasks and responsibilities of the teachers. The main point that teachers distinguish their teaching profession from other professions is about raising individuals and shaping the future. Teacher identity is defined as a profession that develops itself, has an obligation to be an example to people, prepares individuals for their life, and has prestige. Among the advantages of the teaching profession, it has been given that the teaching profession is the most respected occupation, the opportunity for self-improvement, the opportunity for teaching-learning, the happiness of being helpful to people, and the working hours being appropriate. It is seen as a disadvantage that the teacher is a weary profession, destroying the reputation of the teaching profession, finishing the energies at school, taking homework, having to bear the weight of being a teacher at all, and changing working conditions from school to school. The answer given by the teachers is that in light of the fact that the teachers think that they are the number one actors in society. Although the income level of teachers is relatively low compared to other professions that require training at the undergraduate level, the social status of the teacher is still high and defended by the intellectual teachers.

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