Don't Stand Up in a Hammock: Advice from Early Career Teachers in Remote, Regional and Rural Locations

Alison Willis; Sharon Louth

doi:10.47381/aijre.v34i1.469

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Don't Stand Up in a Hammock: Advice from Early Career Teachers in Remote, Regional and Rural Locations

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Don't Stand Up in a Hammock: Advice from Early Career Teachers in Remote, Regional and Rural Locations

Alison Willis and Sharon Louth

Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, Vol.34(1), pp.1-24

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v34i1.469

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Abstract

beginning teachers

regional rural remote education

early career teachers

pre-service teachers

ethnography

This ethnographic case study investigates the professional, locational and cultural understandings teachers need when beginning regional, rural, and remote teaching and living. Drawing from the experiences of recently graduated early career teachers in regional, rural, and remote teaching positions, the study sought to identify key learnings and strategies for surviving and thriving in regional, rural, and remote communities with the aim of better preparing pre-service teachers for placements and future employment in these locations. Most early career teachers in this study would recommend regional, rural, and remote teaching positions to pre-service teachers, describing the experience as rewarding, challenging and professionally developing. The importance of building relationships and immersing oneself in community were salient in the data. Analysis revealed a need for pre-determinations in five areas when preparing for RRR teaching positions: social (building networks and making friends), geographical (exploring the local area and getting involved in community), emotional (positive mindset and getting out of your comfort zone), personal (healthy habits and resilience), and cultural (understanding community). There is an evident opportunity to help pre-service teachers prepare for regional, rural, and remote experiences by considering these five pre-determinations.

Details

Title: Don't Stand Up in a Hammock: Advice from Early Career Teachers in Remote, Regional and Rural Locations
Authors: Alison Willis - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary Access
Sharon Louth - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary Access
Publication details: Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, Vol.34(1), pp.1-24
Audience: Academic
Publisher: Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.47381/aijre.v34i1.469
Copyright note: Copyright (c) 2023 Alison Willis, Sharon Louth. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Organisation Unit: Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Education and Tertiary Access
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991016298502621
Output Type: Journal article

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