This study explored pre-service teachers’ best possible teacher selves through the lens of possible selves theory. It was conducted in the 2020 Spring semester, just before the pandemic, in a foundation technology integration course of a teacher education program at an accredited mid-west university. One of the most widely used positive psychology intervention-Best Possible Self (BPS)-was used to guide pre-service teachers to envision and write their future best possible selves (writing activity 1), best possible selves as teachers (writing activity 2), and best possible selves of technology integration in their future teaching (writing activity 3). This paper analyzed the essays of the second writing activity to understand pre-services’ best possible teacher selves. A total of 54 participants completed writing activities 2; 34 (63%) are female, 20 (37%) are male; 25 (46%) are Freshmen, 24 (44%) are Sophomores, and 5 (9%) are juniors. Their major covers Elementary, Social study, Math, English, Special Education, Engineering, Biology, Art, etc. A total of 19,752 words were analyzed and coded. Specific themes under pre-service teachers’ hoped-for and feared-for selves were identified, especially the hoped-for selves. Example themes of hoped-for selves are building good relationships with students, creating interesting learning activities, facilitating good learning habits, keeping life-long learning attitudes, applying technology properly for learning purposes, etc. This paper contributes to understanding pre-service teachers’ ideal professional identity by applying possible selves theory and positive psychology interventions in the teacher education program. The findings and implications will help improve the design of teacher education courses and programs.

Authors:
Suzhen Duan, Towson University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Duan is an assistant professor at Towson University. Her research interests focus on applying positive psychology interventions in educational contexts to improve learners’ overall well-being, attitudes, and professional identity.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzhenduan/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Suzhen-Duan

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