WHERE DOES THE CRISIS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION COME FROM?

Abstract

Taking into consideration that critical changes have been produced in a lot of aspects of our lives lately, this paper aims at discussing the crisis of education that has destabilized both the teachers’ professional and personal identities. This fact requires that they have sound training and that they put more effort into comprehending educational changes and their implications for the teaching profession. This may lead to the rationalization of the uncertainty we live in these days, besides mitigating teachers’ anxiety. Since teachers are part of the changes, they have been summoned to play a leading role in the decision-making process concerning these changes. This should forge a new identity and reconstruct the professional self-concept based on new references; teachers cannot only count on their formalized knowledge, nor on the idea of competence-oriented teaching. Teachers are required to discuss the role of the school in the so-called information society and to develop a pedagogical strategy that recreates a productive, attractive and meaningful environment for the youth, taking into account differences and cultural diversity. I have understood these changes as social, cultural, political, and economic crises, which may generate conflicts and uneasiness but may also trigger questions for thought and be a reason to try new practices, thus, conveying support and encouragement. This unbalance may develop teachers’ professional identity on safer bases.