This study explores the way a group of chemistry teachers in Costa Rica construct themselves as professionals. This is a preliminary study on the issue of teachers' professionalism in Costa Rica from a perspective other than salary. The intention was to explore how a group of eight chemistry teachers set up situations to interact among themselves as well as with other teachers and professionals in the school system as the basis to generate collaboration and autonomy. Two chemistry teachers participated in an in-depth analysis of their life histories as professionals. The teachers set up situations for interaction with others. These include students, colleagues, parents and members of the community. Content programs and regulations for evaluation were explored as part of the aspects that influence teachers' actions in the school culture. / As an interpretive study, data were constructed from school setting observations, personal life histories as told by chemistry teachers, interviews with school system participants and documents from which teachers defined their roles in school. The findings of the study are categorized as they relate to the following: (1) chemistry teachers, (2) teacher unions, (3) policy mediators, (4) principals, (5) colleagues, (6) students, (7) teacher educators, and (8) content programs and evaluative regulations. / From this study it is inferred that the professional actions of teachers are not strongly supported in the school system. Thus, the construction of professional identity is a lifelong process for which teachers need to interact with others on a permanent basis. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-07, Section: A, page: 2439. / Co-Major Professors: Kenneth Tobin; Alejandro J. Gallard. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76938 |
| Contributors | Alfaro-Varela, Gilberto., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 234 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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