First-Year Experiences of Social Studies Teachers Starting their Profession in the Public Sector

• Main Authors: Ünal Şimşek*, Erdal Yıldırım, Turğay Öntaş
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tayfun Yagar 2021-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Educational Methodology
• Subjects: starting the profession; first-year experiences; teacher education; social studies teacher.
• Online Access: https://ijem.com//IJEM_7_1_171.pdf

This research aims to reveal the first-year experiences of social studies teachers who have just started their profession in the public sector. Also, it aims to reveal what awaits teachers in the school environment and the current experiences of teachers at the beginning of the profession. Case study design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The study group of the research consists of 34 social studies teachers working in secondary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education (Turkey) in the districts of Ankara. Participants were selected on an equal basis from all districts of Ankara province. Purposeful sampling, one of the non-random sampling methods was used in determining participants. In addition, criterion sampling was also used in the purposeful sampling phase. The obtained data were subjected to the content and descriptive analysis. As a result of the research, following the latest changes and developments and developing their basic knowledge and skills seems important for teachers who started their profession in the public sector. The multidisciplinary of the social studies branch, attractivity, and the fact that there are no alternatives comes to the fore in teachers' decision-making process to become social studies teachers. In addition, teachers participating in the research suggested to new teachers that they should master their fields, maintain their personal development, get to know the target group, and maintain strong communication in school.