Abstract:

The aim of this study is to examine the views and experiences of pre-service social studies teachers and paid social studies teachers about being a paid teacher. In this context, it is examined how pre-service social studies teachers and paid social studies teachers make sense of being a paid teacher based on their own experiences, experiences and expectations. The research was conducted with phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research designs, and the participants were selected by criterion sampling method from purposeful sampling methods. The research data were collected using a semi-structured interview technique consisting of open-ended questions. During the research process, all interviews were audio recorded with the permission of the participants. The audio recordings were transferred to the computer environment without any screening. Printouts were taken and confirmation was obtained from the participants as to whether they had their own opinions or not. In the process of analysing the data obtained, a four-stage process, which is a unique method of the phenomenological design, was followed. At the end of the data analysis process, six themes, which constitute the structure of being a paid teacher, were revealed: "Paid teaching as a transition and professional acclimatisation process, experiencing economic difficulties, facing discrimination, learning the teaching profession by doing-living, being short-term and professional satisfaction". Paid teachers stated that they received very low wages economically, were discriminated against by the administration, teachers and parents, and that they could not fully adapt themselves to the job due to the short-term nature of paid teaching and the lack of job security. Despite many negativities, it was observed that the participants enjoyed spending time with the students and thought that they gained experience and experience in this way. In line with the results of the study, suggestions were made to improve the working conditions of the paid teaching employment type, to improve the salary, insurance and other personal rights of the paid teaching employment type, to ensure that paid teachers benefit from in-service training, seminars, etc., to follow up the problems of paid teachers, and to make an alternative nomenclature study instead of the term paid teaching.

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