The impact of a teacher preparation programs on professional teaching competencies – Female novice teachers’ perspectives

Abstract

This study explored early career teachers’ perspectives on their competencies in professional teaching in Qatar. Using a mixed-method research design, this study drew on empirical data from ninetlyfive survey respondents and ten individual interviews with teachers who were in their first four years of working in Qatari governmental schools. The findings of this study indicate that professional teaching competencies are strongly related to professional training through a teacher preparation program. This study identified a few of the specific challenges that novice teachers encounter and revealed a significant need to address these challenges to maintain their competencies. The study contributes to the literature by investigating novice teachers’ perspectives on their teaching competencies as supported by their teacher preparation program. More efforts to bridge the gaps between programs and schools are needed to prepare teachers in their early careers better.