LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
• describe the process by which an individual develops his/her identity
• describe a model to explain the relationship between identity, role and emotion
• reflect on and describe your personal identity as a science educator, including the role associated with that identity
• identify aspects of the role of science educator that you would like to develop through professional development
• identify mechanisms that support teacher learning when crossing boundaries, including possible boundary objects that may support this learning.
Introduction
This chapter commences with an examination of the theoretical background underlying identity theory. A framework involving the self-identity construct, the role associated with an identity and the influence of emotions as the consequence of role performance and in the development of identity will be presented. Following this, the chapter will use the framework presented as the basis for explaining the process involved in your personal journey of developing a science teacher identity. Possible boundary crossings that may stand in your path will be described and mechanisms provided for how to negotiate these boundaries. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how students form their academic identity in relation to science and the place that you, as their science teacher, have in that formation. The content of this chapter will be relevant to you for many years and it may well be that you will revisit it on a number of occasions as you develop your science teaching. Your understanding of what is being described may change as you continue to construct and reconstruct your teacher role and identity.
OPENING VIGNETTE
Watch the TedEd video Who am I? available at www.youtube.com/watch?v= UHwVyplU3Pg.
Questions
Take 10 minutes to consider the question posed in the video Who am I? Having done that and having considered what the video has presented, write one paragraph in response to each of the following questions:
1. How would you describe who you were when you were 10 years old?
2. How would you describe who you are at this very moment?
3. How would you describe who you want to be in 10 years’ time and how
4. would you like to change over that time period?
Take the time to reflect on how your answers differ and why this might be the case.