Sophie Larkin: Identity Crisis- The Business of Boosting Teacher Identity

Eaquals International Conference, Lisbon, 21 – 23 April 2016

Identity Crisis?A case study of how teacher development may affect a teacher’s evolving identity. What’s in it for the school, the staff and the individual?

www.eaquals.org

macbook air apple

Question

What had strengthened my own sense of self?


Previous study

• Development is valued• Experience is developmental• Diversity and flexibility is valued• EFL identity is flawed• Community strengthens identity• Danger of “scattered” selves• (Shared) Learning is empowering


Development

• Comes from within• Experiential and shared practice• Intense awareness and reflection• Ongoing and open-ended• ‘Extended’ professional (Hoyle, 1975)• Challenging, honest, uncomfortable (?)• Calls into play emotions, beliefs and

identities4


Teacher Identity

• Evolving• Dynamic• Nature, Discourse, Institution and Affinity

(Gee, 2000) • Requires affirmation and recognition• Link between identity, development and

status


Benefits to Institution

• Increased knowledge, skills and attitudes• Improved motivation• Professional Community - Rub off effect-

collaborative, cooperative growth • Quality/ excellence• Kudos


Research Question

• How does commitment to a CPD programme affect the developing teacher, their colleagues and the institution?

• Do my findings support the results of my previous study?


Brian

• 18 years post CELTA experience• Experience in Southern Europe• Currently doing DELTA• Open to learning• New to reflective practice• Committed to development


Themes

• Development as a luxury, and development as tough

• Blurring of professional and personal identities

• Development requires practice • Collaborative processes of teacher learning

bring teachers out of their private worlds


Analysis

• Development is luxury/painful• Personal and professional identities may be

challenged• Important rub-off effect on our institutions• Development requires plasticity and

openness• Development can offset isolation


Conclusions and Reflections• Development- pain or pleasure? • Triggers perceptions of self worth• Professional identities may squeeze personal

identities• Development should be decoupled from

training• Is there a temporal link?• Development is not automatic• Development remains evasive


Thank you!

Interested in Identity and Teacher Development?

Sophie LarkinFreelance teacher trainer and researcher, daughter,

sister, ballet dancer, experimental cook….

[email protected]


Education

Sophie Larkin: Identity Crisis- The Business of Boosting Teacher Identity