Term
Summer 2024
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAT
Facilitator(s)
Karen Moroz
Content Expert
Gina Springetti and Rebecca Neal
Abstract
Many educators struggle daily to balance the many facets of their teacher identity, encompassing their personal and professional lives, as well as how they are portrayed in the media and political realm. This along with the other demands of the job can often lead to teacher identity conflict. While teacher identity conflict is a necessary component to growth throughout one's career, lack of support through these challenges can create frustration, stress, and ultimately cause educators to leave the field altogether. This paper explores the research question: How can educators engage in critical self reflection to overcome conflicts in their teacher identity? The literature suggests that while critical self reflection can be done alone, it is more powerful in a supportive environment of colleagues. Despite being a vital tool in overcoming teacher identity conflict, there is a lack of existing spaces for both pre-service and in-service educators to engage in critical self reflection with peers. Research suggests creating more opportunities for teachers to explore identity through critical self reflection in what are coined brave spaces: trusting, vulnerable communities educators committed to personal and professional growth. These brave spaces allow teachers to explore critical self reflection through conscious and intentional activities led by a facilitator that probes participants to think more deeply about systems of power and oppression. Implications for this paper include improving teacher access to brave spaces and continuing expanded research on critical self reflection and identity development for educators.
Project Type
Professional Development
Keywords
Adult Education, Reflective Practice, Staff Development, Teachers/ Teaching
Recommended Citation
Holmin, Kelly, "Teacher Identity Development Through Critical Self Reflection" (2024). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1054.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1054
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects