A collaborative autoethnography of two Korean mid-career English teachers: Exploring the professional identity and agency in diverse school context

This collaborative autoethnography investigates how mid-career English teachers in Korean secondary schools construct their professional identities and enact agency within diverse school contexts. Using mutual interviews, reflective journals, and various memory aids such as lesson plans, videos and other relevant documents, this study explores how teachers navigate the complex realities of their roles―not only as curriculum specialists but also as homeroom teachers and administrative actors. The findings reveal that school culture such as democratic communication, collegial trust, active participation in professional learning communities, and supportive leadership plays a crucial role in shaping relational teacher agency(Lee, 2021), which enables teachers co-construct meaning and reflect collaboratively, and reframe their educational practices. However, challenges such as limited autonomy in teaching and assessment, top-down decision making, and limited space for reflection and collaboration often push teachers toward avoidance or resistance strategies. This study underscores the need to foster reflective, relational spaces that support professional growth.