How Teacher Leaders Think About Parents: A Mixed Methods Approach

Authors : Özgür BOLAT

Pages : 92-109

Doi:10.35207/later.1300281

View : 53 | Download : 43

Publication Date : 2023-06-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The present study firstly explores teacher mental images and understandings of the concepts of ‘parent’ through metaphor analysis and secondly examines how teacher leaders differ in terms of perceptions about parents. The primary objective of this study is to uncover teacher leaders\` implicit attitudes about ‘parents’ in order to contribute to parental involvement initiatives undertaken by teacher. The study adopts a mixed-design methodology. Teacher leaders were identified through Teacher Leadership Behavior Scale and the metaphors were evaluated using a content analysis method. The research was conducted with 89 teachers. The study presents several significant findings. Metaphor analysis revealed teachers perceive parents in different seven distinction roles, which imply positive, neutral and negative attitude: partner / nurturer insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(positive);, supporter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(positive);, observer insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(neutral);, student insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(neutral);, mirror insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(neutral);, inspector insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(negative);, Machiavellist insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(negative); and antagonist insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(negative);. These roles indicate three types of parental involvement, ranging from ‘active participation’ insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(positive); to ‘passive participation’ insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(neutral);, and to ‘adversarial participation’ insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(negative);. Statistical analysis revealed that teacher leaders, high scorers as identified by teacher leadership behavior scale, have a more positive attitude towards parents than low scorers. Overall, these findings can be utilized by teacher leaders, educational leaders and researchers working in similar domains, providing valuable insights into teachers’ view of parents and contributing to the enhancement of parental involvement practices.
Keywords : teacher leadership, parental involvement, metaphor analysis, Parents