Personal narrative inquiry: exploring my childhood memories that shape my novice teacher self in a public township school.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
This thesis presents an understanding of stories about my personal and professional self as a novice teacher in a public township school. My curiosity to explore my childhood memories of growing up and attending schools in two different contextual setting, namely, rural and urban, and presently working in a township environment, was critical for my learning as a novice teacher. I was curious to explore how my childhood experiences translate and transform my past experiences into my present approaches and ways of understanding and aspirations as a novice teacher. By using personal narrative inquiry, I was able to reflect retrospectively to remember my childhood memories and experiences that shaped, and shapes my meaning making as a novice teacher working in a township school. The kind of learning I experienced through this Masters study was a deep and insightful study that is internally driven. My stories and memories became a tool for me to resist and re-invent myself to become a better novice teacher in the future. Beauchamp and Thomas (2009)’s theoretical framework of identities has been very useful throughout my Masters study. Using Beauchamp and Thomas to explore the internal and external forces that shape the self, has made me realize that I have good and bad selves that shape my novice teacher self. There is an inextricable link between my personal and professional identities. Making visible my childhood experiences as a site for my teacher learning as a novice teacher was driven by my commitment to care for self. As well as to develop greater awareness of what informs the way I think, know and act as a teacher so I can always strive to be the best novice teacher. I found that through this research I had a remarkable opportunity for a deep and insightful study that contributed to a deeper understanding of self through the recounting and retelling of stories. Retelling of stories became a tool for me to resist and re-invent myself, the positive ramifications of which I believe will positively contribute to the improved teaching and learning experiences for both me and my learners.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.