Browsing by Author "Kääriä, Mira"

The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis is to examine the co-operation and co-teaching in special music centre Resonaari. This thesis seeks to find out what is the meaning of this co-operation in the development of the teachers’ expertice. Previous studies have found that social support and constructive feedback are important in teachers’ professional development. These factors can be emphasised when teachers work in close co-operation. This thesis is a qualitative study. The data of this study consists of the interviews of four Resonaari teachers and principals. The interviews were analysed using a narrative approach. This thesis aims to formulate a comprehensive picture of the co-operation and co-teaching implemented in Resonaari. The stories of the interviewees are described in short narratives that were created in the analysis. In the narratives the teachers and principals underlined the importance of the teachers’ equality and the schools’ working climate. The interviewees named several factors regarding co-operation that influences their development as a teacher and expert. The most important factors were the possibility to share ones expertice and know-how, and the increased courage to try more innovative ideas. In the teachers’ stories the importance of co-teaching increased when the teachers encountered challenging situations. Several teachers in Finland feel that their job is straining, and this can even result in career changes. Support received from a colleague can help a teacher in coping with his or her job. Therefore increasing co-teaching and teachers’ co-operation can enhance teachers’ learning and increase their well-being.