Excuse Me… When Will I Hear a Good Word about My Work?: The Principal''s Role in First Year Teachers'' Success Stories

Abstract

This article is based on qualitative research intended to discover the attributes of novice teachers' success stories of their subjective experiences during this year. The research literature mainly emphasizes the many difficulties encountered by the new teachers at the start of their careers, and diminishes reference to their success stories. Data collection was based on in-depth interviews with Arab and Jewish novice teachers from a teacher training college in Jerusalem during their first year of work. The research findings show their unique way of coping vis-a-vis the school principal. In an attempt to influence or change his attitude and behavior towards them, some of them employed daring and conflict and some used maneuvering and diplomacy. They thus also managed to integrate in the school system, and even initiate change and realize impressive results at diverse levels. These findings illustrate the principal's dominance and importance in their professional development as perceived by the novice teachers.