Browsing by Author "Talosela, Minttu"

Finnish special class teachers and special teachers in primary and secondary education work in various settings. The reform of special education has changed the work. Lacking normative work descriptions, the tasks and responsibilities of special education teachers can vary vastly. On the other hand, there can be recognized a historical continuum of the work models of special class teachers and special teachers. The purpose of this study was to explore the conceptions of special class teachers and special teachers associated to work descriptions along with the perceptions of their everyday work and its tasks. A qualitative research approach was used. Research data consisted of six interviews in total with both special class teachers and special teachers. Qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data. Following the content analysis, the work of both special education teacher professions can be conceptualized in the categories of teaching, co-operation, and background work. Teaching was considered the primary objective of the work of special education teachers. Two new categories, meta-work and community building were suggested based on the interview data. In thematic analysis, the inclination of special education teachers to pursue the good of their students was found in close relation to their perceived working mandates.