The development of the professional identity of two teacher educators in the context of Dutch teacher education

Source: European Journal of Teacher Education, Volume 31, Issue 2 May 2008 , pages 169 - 184

This article is part of a larger study on the development of professional identity of five teacher educators from three different generations. The article discusses the development of the professional identities of the two youngest teacher educators, who currently work in teacher education institutes for primary education. The questions in this narrative-biographical research are: 'How do these teacher educators develop from teacher to teacher educator and how is this development influenced by the recent developments in primary teacher education?'

The findings of the study indicate that both teacher educators use the innovations in teacher education to develop professionally. At the beginning of their careers they develop within their institutes; later they also look for ways to develop outside their institutes and play an increasingly significant role in the community of teacher educators.