Imagined professional identity: A narrative inquiry into a Chinese teacher's perezhivaniya in life. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Ge
• Is Part Of: Teaching and teacher education. Volume 102(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Perezhivaniya -- Teacher image -- Professional identity -- Narrative inquiry; Teaching -- Periodicals; Teachers -- Training of -- Periodicals; Enseignement -- Périodiques; Enseignants -- Formation -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 371.10205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2021.103337
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-051X

Abstract

Abstract: This narrative inquiry revolves around the changing professional identities of Ping, an experienced Chinese teacher. The concept "perezhivanie" is employed as a holistic unit of analysis for probing the interconnectedness between the intellectual-rational and the social-political facets of professional identity. Using narrative inquiry both as a method and a form, three images reveal Ping's construction of her teacher identities. The analysis foreshadows the impact of Ping's dramatic series of perezhivaniya on becoming and being a teacher. The concept of an "imagined professional identity" emerges from Ping's accounts, with significant implications for teacher education and reform-related policies in a transforming society. Highlights: Perezhivanie is a holistic unit of analysis of professional identity. Teacher identity contains the intellectual-rational and social-political facets. Teacher image reflects teacher's construction of professional identity. Imagined professional identity has a sense of quixotism in a transforming society.