Exploring the Multilayered Nature of Teacher Isolation: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
American Educational Research Association (AERA), California, United States Of America, 8 - 12 April 2026, (Summary Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
- City: California
- Country: United States Of America
- Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study explores teachers’ experiences of professional isolation within the Turkish educational context using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Teacher isolation, manifesting across physical, emotional, and institutional dimensions, is described through themes of invisibility, devaluation, and exclusion. This research offers a nuanced analysis of how teachers encounter, interpret, and respond to isolation at the individual level while conceptualizing the phenomenon not merely as an emotional state but as a systemic issue shaped by structural, cultural, and organizational dynamics. The findings provide holistic recommendations for reconfiguring educational policies and transforming school climates to support teacher well-being.