Retrospective view of the early career: three landmarks in building resilience in academic administration among Israeli teacher training college principals

ABSTRACT

This study provides a retrospective view by Israeli Teacher Training College (TTC) principals of their early careers, with emphasis on the induction into their first academic-administrative positions. The thematic analysis of 10 life stories reveal three landmarks which contributed to building or impeding resilience in academic administration at the induction, adaptation and consolidation stages. Whereas the first and third stages were identified with the ‘Pygmalion Effect’ and the ability to establish an effective model of leadership, the adaptation stage was seen as impeding the development of resilience. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature on resilience in different educational contexts, and examine its applicability to the organisational culture of Israeli TTCs.

KEYWORDS:

• Teacher training college
• academic administration
• early career

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Efrata College of Education; Mofet Institute.

Notes on contributors

Mary Gutman

Dr. Mary Gutman is researcher and teacher educator at Efrata College of Education. She currently serves as head of the education department and chair of the research authority. She holds a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mofet Institute in Tel Aviv. Her main research interest refers to professional development of teacher educators.