The Childhood of a Teacher: Allison’s Preservice Years as Baby Pictures

Abstract

Allison, an early career teacher, and Marg, a teacher educator, together reviewed videos of Allison’s preservice teaching experience. To make sometimes-painful memories more comfortable, we decided to think of the videos as pictures of a teacher’s “childhood” and growth. We explore the meanings and emotions those events held in the past and, with the benefit of hindsight, discuss current interpretations of those experiences and their place in Allison’s growth as a teacher. Previous research has highlighted growth patterns that seem common to many, if not most, preservice teachers. Allison’s growth displayed elements of such patterns, but her trajectory was non-linear and complex. Allison offers insights into her thoughts as a beginning teacher, and we highlight the relational process of restorying past experiences.