Negotiating tensions: an autoethnographic account of classroom-based research

Abstract

In this paper, I present my experiences as an emerging classroom-based researcher. Using personal narratives, I examine the tensions that emerge from the emotional work often required to conduct educational research. This autoethnographic approach explores the complexity of student-teacher interactions using Swanson’s middle-range theory of caring. In reflecting on my experiences, I hope to inform emerging researchers’ understanding of reflexive practices as a way of developing critical spaces within PK-12 educational research.

Keywords:

• Autoethnography
• theories of care
• classroom-based research
• immigrant students

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Laity are the members of the Church who do not belong to the Clergy or Religious Orders.

2 Readings from Scripture

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stephanie Oudghiri

Stephanie Oudghiri holds a M.S. in Secondary Education from Indiana University and a B.A in Political Science from Purdue University. She is currently a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction's Curriculum Studies program at Purdue University. She began her career as a middle school and high school Social Studies and Language Arts teacher and has ten years of teaching experience in a wide variety of school settings; parochial, charter, alternative, and public. Working in both urban and rural settings, she has served demographically diverse populations, economically disadvantaged students and students with special needs. Her research interests include increasing pre-service teachers' level of cultural confidence and deepening their level of understanding of their students' customs and beliefs, which contributes to a culturally enriched classroom environment to increase quality classroom instruction and students' capacity to learn. Her dissertation research focuses on rural educators' experiences working with and caring for immigrant students.