Training and life trajectories of social educators in the Centros Pop of the Metropolitan Area of Vitória/ES

Abstract

This study investigates life trajectories and educational paths of social educators who work at the Special Reference Center for Homeless People (Centro Pop) in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Based on the narratives of six social educators who work in three units of Centro Pop, that are located in different cities of the Metropolitan Area of Vitória/ ES, it aims to reflect upon their formative experiences regarding Paulo Freire’s thoughts on Social Education, as well as on the guidelines that inform their training in current contexts. It concludes that the performance of those social educators remains mostly based on life experiences and restricted training, rather than on a specific, politically engaged preparation that enables a quality work with homeless people attended in the units of Centro Pop.