Curriculum Studies in Teacher Education & Development

Curriculum Studies in Teacher Education & Development

Challenges of the Acculturation Process of Elementary School Novice Teachers and Conditions for Its Improvement

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Behrouz Khorram 1
Azimehsadat Khakbaz 2
Mohammadreza Yousefzadeh 3
1 PhD in Curriculum studies, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
3 . Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
10.22034/jcsted.2025.492734.1009
Abstract
The present study aims to analyze the acculturation challenges faced by novice teachers using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method. The research field included educational sciences specialists with experience and research contributions in teacher education. The participants consisted of 12 specialists purposefully and criterion-based selected according to the theoretical saturation rule. The criterion for selecting the specialists was their experience and research contributions in teacher education and their connection to the teaching domain. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, and data analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) coding method. To ensure the validity of the data, four criteria were used: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The findings indicated that the process of cultural adaptation of novice teachers is influenced by beliefs and stereotypes created by general education courses, teacher education, and the work environment regarding what constitutes a good teacher. These representations were not consistent with the teacher's internal identity and unity. Instead of emphasizing professional identity, they focused on professional development. Consequently, becoming a teacher faces numerous challenges and anomalies, which can be directed towards transformation, continuous inquiry, and reflection by providing appropriate strategies
Keywords
Teacher education
Early years of teaching
Acculturation
Teaching culture
Novice teacher
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