How do teachers understand their vocation? Implications of the perceived vocation in the development of the teaching profession

Abstract

The present study explores how teachers perceive “teaching vocation,” and whether this perception influences or has influenced their professional development. Through a qualitative research based on the testimonies of twenty teachers of Primary Education, collected from interviews and written narratives, and using Grounded Theory, this work identifies the elements that make up the construct “teaching vocation.” Results show the importance of motivation and generativity in the construction of teaching vocation. Both concepts have an important role when choosing the teaching degree and, above all, show a direct relationship with the way the profession is valued, with the pride of exercising as a teacher, and with the development of self-concept and self-esteem. Teaching vocation is a complex and changing construct, conformed by previous personal experiences, by internal and transcendent (or helpful) motivation. In addition, it changes as the generative desire becomes a reality and turns into a generative exercise. In order for this generative exercise to be satisfactory, a specific preparation in teaching techniques and skills is needed, because without this process, one cannot respond to the set of challenges that today’s society poses.