As representações sociais dos professores do ensino fundamental em relação aos seus alunos

Abstract

This research work has tried to analyze the teachers social representations on their students, in other words, the way of thinking and interpreting the school daily life, the sets of images and references that orientate their practices. This investigation analysed active professionals working at public and private schools, so called A and B at the eighth grade of Ensino Fundamental . The present research project developed from the researcher s deeply concern to her pedagogical practices in relation to her teaching career in private schools and more recently (2005) taking on the position of permanent teacher in a public school. There was also an interest in researching the different angles teachers have on their work and their students assuming the daily living with them. Facing the direct relation to different values, habits and opinions, the aspects that influence their behavior and performance, social relations and satisfactions and failures were also object of investigation. This work happened through observations, interviews and testimonials from the teachers involved. The collected data were discussed and confronted in the perspective of the indicated basic theory. In order to understand the most significant factors which contribute to the education professional motivation and/or dissatisfaction the research involved seven teachers from public schools and five from private schools. Great affection was noted in the school context and also the expectations on the future, the apprenticeship and the developing of competences, as well as the professional returns that are intimately connected with the image of the pupils. The present investigation occurred during the year of 2008.