Search results for: Lofstrom Erika

This study investigates how Estonian teachers with more than 25 years of professional experience recall and describe their pre-service teaching practice experience. This study indicates that supportive professional communication is essential for developing self-efficacy. The majority of the interviewees emphasised, either explicitly or implicitly, the importance of cooperation between student teachers and supervisors in the form of discussion and feedback. Both positive and negative experiences during their school practice contributed towards meaningful experiences becoming the catalyst of self-reflection. Many participants seemed to have experienced at least one particular feature in common, such as low perception of a sense of community within the school.

The current research focuses on Estonian university students' emerging teacher identity and their interest in becoming teachers. Five hundred and sixty-five first, third and fifth year students participated in the survey. The results suggest that pedagogical reasons for entering teacher education and clear motives for studying are significant indicators of teacher potential.The article elaborates the pedagogical reasons for entering teacher education or the teaching profession and the wish to function as a change agent in the society.