Teachers’ organizational and professional socialization: The case of Ankara

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal the professional and organizational socialization experiences of elementary school teachers of Ankara Province. The study was conducted through phenomenological design and the data, based on descriptive and content analysis, collected through a semi-structured interview form. The participants comprised of five public and five private elementary school teachers, having at least five years of professional experience were selected through “maximum variation” and “criterion” sampling methods. The finding of study revealed that before starting their job, the teachers had optimistic expectations such as school administrations’ providing guidance, cooperative colleagues, ambitious students and supportive parents. In the entry stage of socialization, teachers have reality shock. In adaptation of teachers to their profession and the school, colleague responses are prominent as well as individual activities. In metamorphosis stage, private schools exert more efforts than public schools do in their adaption. The participants suggest that MoNE should assign suitable councelling teachers and develop the control mechanism for more effective socialization process. In light of the findings, internet-based programs should be developed to provide materials and to have e-courses. For colleague interaction, systems such as mentoring and coaching should be actively implemented.