Student teachers' perception of their role and responsibilities as Catholic educators

Coll, R. (2007) Student teachers' perception of their role and responsibilities as Catholic educators. European Journal of Teacher Education, 30(4), pp. 445-465.

Abstract

This article is concerned with 26 primary and secondary student teachers' early perception of themselves as Catholic educators in Scotland. It analyses their perspectives on what it means to be a Catholic teacher, what is expected of them by the Church and what motivated them to chose this particular career path. Discussion of these issues reveals an astute awareness of their role in the Catholic sector but a deep apprehension about their ability to succeed in fulfilling this. Their religious biographies and identities highlight much about the Scottish context of which they are a part, yet their responses to faith indicate differing levels of confidence in teaching, particularly with regard to the content of the Religious Education curriculum which they are expected to implement. The challenge these students present to the major stakeholders in Scottish education is to provide them with adequate support in developing their own faith - and knowledge and understanding of it - in order to enable them to carry out their role as Catholic teachers effectively within the state funded system.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This is a preprint of an article whose final and definitive form has been published in the European Journal of Teacher Education © 2007 Copyright Taylor and Francis; European Journal of Teacher Education is available online at informaworldTM with the open URL of your article.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Coll, Professor Roisin
• Authors: Coll, R.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology > BV1460 Religious Education; L Education > LC Special aspects of education
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith
• Journal Name: European Journal of Teacher Education
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 0261-9768
• ISSN (Online): 1469-5928
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 Taylor and Francis
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the publisher