Challenges of internationally educated teachers in the U.S. public school system

Abstract

A phenomenological research study was conducted to discover some of the challenges that internationally educated teachers face in the U.S. public school system. Interviews, in conjunction withbridling journal entries, were conducted with three internationally educated teachers who had experience teaching in the U.S. public school system, and whole-part-whole analysis was used to examine the interview scripts in the context of culture and language. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Bakhtin's authoritative discourses and his theory of language. The findings of this study revealed three broad challenges: hardships in classroom discipline due to cultural differences, conflicts with parents due to the lack of understanding of the U.S. mainstream culture, and language barriers. In addition, the implications for internationally educated teachers in the U.S. schools were discussed. Among the discussions, the implications for schools highlighted the need for a mutually respectful mentoring for the internationally educated teachers.