An Examination of Physical Education Teachers' Views on Professionalism in the Teaching Profession

Beden Eğitimi Öğretmenlerinin Öğretmenlik Mesleğindeki Profesyonelliğe İlişkin Görüşlerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

This study aims to examine physical education teachers' views on professionalism in the teaching profession.  The research consists of 10 physical education teachers working within the Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of National Education. In this study, the face-to-face interview technique was used in accordance with the principle of complete voluntariness. Using the interview technique, one of the qualitative research methods, the data obtained were analyzed using content analysis. The results of the research revealed that physical education teachers emphasized that professionalism requires good management of the process, love for the profession, and hard work. At the same time, it was determined that a professional teacher should be experienced in their field, success-oriented, and value different opinions. Furthermore, the physical education teachers who participated in the study stated that they generally viewed the teaching profession as professional, but did not consider themselves professional in their field and expressed that they had some shortcomings.  It was also observed that certain situations at school affected the teachers' professionalism, while it was concluded that teaching knowledge, subject knowledge, and training knowledge were sufficient for teacher professionalism.