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The Survival Strategies of the Long-term Substitute Primary Schools’ Teachers When They Are Facing Various Difficulties Both in Survival And in Career Development
Abstract
The objective of the research is to study the survival strategies of the long-term substitute primary schools’ teachers when they are facing various difficulties both insurvival and in career development. The research applies qualitative methods. All data were collected through interview by using purposive sampling according to the Interview Outline”. After interviewing six substitute teachers and six administrative staff members of primary schools, the conclusion was made as follows:
I.The survival strategies of long-term substitute teachers when in the school
1.Strategy of changing attitude--to take “same workload, different pay” as an impetus to pass the “Examination for Formal Teachers of Primary Schools (hereinafter referred to as the Exam.)”
2. Strategy of expressing opinions indirectl--not to express opinions on school’s administrative affairs directly, butto express opinions to schools through colleagues who are formal teachers
3.Strategy of performing professionally and cooperating with administrative staff members--to perform professionally in teaching and cooperate with administrative staff members of schools, in order to establish good relationship with students’ parents
4. Strategy of promoting good relationship with formal teachers—initiatively attending activities held by teachers’ informal groups, in order to promote relationship with colleagues of formal teachers
5. Strategy of performing well--to create value for the school through professional teaching, in order to establishan irreplaceable status
6. Strategy of avoiding exploitation--taking advantage of good relationship with formal teachers to reduce the possibility of forcing substitute teachers to accept overloaded administrative workby the schools
II.The career development strategies of the long-term substitute teachers
1.Stratege of making decision earlier--Be sure of the liking for teaching as early as possible. Do not waste time on preparing both for the Exam. and for changing jobs.
2. Strategies for those who are taking “to be a formal teacher” as a career objective
a)To select a proper school to sharpen teaching skills for reaching the goal of passing the Exam.
b)To contact initiatively those formal teachers who already passed the Exam., and to absorb their experiences
c)Being substitute teachers, male are likely to face the pressure from the sprout or other family members, and need to prepare well and adjust themselves in advance.
3.The long-term substitute teachers may prepare for the Exam. and save money for starting own business at the same time.
Key words: long-term substitute teachers,survival strategies,
career development.
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