Teachers tensions in 2010, the year of the earthquake and tsunami in Chile

Abstract

In this article we report the perception of a group of teachers from two schools in an area affected by a natural disaster. We worked with 12 teachers from elementary schools, using the technique of in-depth interview and journal to know their experiences as teachers and to value the context after the earthquake and tsunami. It is a naturalistic qualitative exploratory design, and the evidence is analyzed using the Grounded Theory. Descriptions at individual, relational and contextual level emerged, confirming a contradictory discourse to integrate the various aspects of the experience. We present three areas of tensions: Their role versus personal experience, stability and change in the teaching practice, and presence and denial of the experience. We made some suggestions to implement in the educational context after a natural disaster, considering the personal and professional scopes of teachers.