Value-semantic factors of teachers’ professional growth in the context of the longevity problem

Abstract

The article discusses the study results of the Russian teachers’ professional longevity. The authors try to highlight the role of value-semantic factors that determine the teacher’s orientation to the productive extension of his professional path beyond the retirement age. The study results, in particular, the analysis of data from in-depth interviews with teachers of retirement age (n = 40) allows us to assert a significant contribution of value-semantic factors to the overall picture of the process of a teacher’s transition to the post-professional period of his life. In particular, three main transition strategies are identified: 1. Postponement; 2. Smooth transition; 3. Forced finish. Each strategy corresponds to a certain type of indicators of a value-semantic nature: attitude to health, attitude to the level of one’s professional efficiency, combining professional and personal goals. There is a high diagnostic value of the metaphor method in the study of the respondents’ professional path.